Kayamba Afrika lead singer dies aged 42

 By George Orido

Bius Obunde, the man whose melodious first tenor shaped the famed Kayamba Afrika's choral music, has died from pulmonary complications at a Nairobi hospital aged 42.

News of his death shocked the music fraternity, many of who remember him as a colleague, teacher, manager, composer and an inspiring singer.

“He is the top three tenor soloists in the country, and his vocal prowess was enviable,” said Nicholas Emodiah, who was the deputy choirmaster at National Hospital Insurance Fund choir.

At Kayamba Afrika, Obunde teamed up with young talents including Juma Odemba to revolutionise a music genre that infused ethnic sound with modern Acappella.

His rich baritone reverberated at weddings, funerals and corporate functions that had preferred the group’s music.

From Nairobi to Tel Aviv, from Mombasa to Kitale, from Eldoret to Nakuru and from Nyeri to Kisumu, Obunde played a remarkable role in entertaining and educating fans during live performances.

Obunde was the head of one of the Kayamba Afrika’s breakaway groups, Kayamba African Beat, where he had released an album ‘Tunajivunia’.

He left the original Kayamba in 2008.

He was also the choirmaster of the legendary Holy Trinity Choir Kariobangi. “Kenya has lost a gem whose exemplary career was just blossoming,” said Shem Nyabera, who taught music with Obunde at the parastatals and ministry joint mass choirs.

Family and friends are meeting everyday at Garden Square for funeral arrangements.

A fundraiser is scheduled for the June 30 at a Nairobi hotel. He will be buried on July 9. Obunde leaves behind a wife and three children.