Ken wa Maria still going strong

BY CAROLINE NYANGA

Just when many thought Ken wa Maria had gone down musically, the artiste has released his fortieth album, Domitila, proving he still he still a force to reckon with in the Kamba music world.

Terming it a storm in a teacup. “As a professional musician, I take time to come up with the right product as opposed to doing things in a huff and end up with something substandard. For me music is a long journey that needs one to take time in order to come up with quality product that is bound to last.”

It appears there is no stopping Ken who has coined himself a name as the reigning king of Kamba music as a result of his well-packaged unique style of entertainment.

Done in the Kamba language the 10-track album comprises singles like University Miseto Miseto, Patrol Kitui, Operation Kuvingua Nyumba and Ikomba Ndueke among others.

“I’m happy that my latest recordings have quickly become favourites among the locals and beyond — breaking the records set by most of my previous recordings. I believe the arrangement and style used has given them the upper edge,” he says.

Discipline and planning

The musician, who seems to bear ambition as his middle name, reveals that his success emanates from his disciplined nature and proper planning.

“It’s unfortunate that most musicians lack these qualities, hence their short-lived careers,” he says.

Like many artistes out there, Ken has often found himself engulfed in controversy. Entertainment journalists have accused him of being difficult when it comes to matters of availing himself for interviews.

But he refutes the claims terming it a ploy to finish him through bad press.

“Those who know me too well will tell you I am a simple, down-to-earth man who believes in hard work and nothing more. Nevertheless, there are a section of people who will never say anything good about you whenever things are working well for you. And like the saying goes, you cannot please everyone no matter how hard you try.”

As for occasionally refusing to talk to press, he says it is because most local media houses concentrate on writing untrue negative stories about him instead of writing about his struggles and accomplishments.

And as for rival singer Kativui Mwene who was once part of his band but left to form his own, Ken says he has no hard feelings towards him.

Prove to the world

“There comes a time when one has to stand on his own and prove to the world that he is man enough as opposed to being behind people all the time,” he says.

From his humble beginnings as a casual labourer in factories in Athi River town to a second hand clothes dealer in Gikomba Market, Nairobi, Ken has scaled the heights to emerge as one of Kenya’s few millionaire artistes.

Indeed there is speculation he could be Kenya’s richest musician, which is no easy achievement in a country where music is synonymous with poverty.

On top of this, he has cut a niche for himself, attracting thousands of fans across the country whenever he performs. And even though some of his controversial lyrics have often put him on a warpath with fellow artistes and conservative traditional leaders.

While his political ambitions have earned him friend and foe, Ken still remains at the forefront as far as Kamba music goes.

Married to a woman named Angela and blessed with two children, he has invested in numerous properties from his hard-earned work.

Ken has 40 albums available on cassette and CD. He has recorded more than 18 VCDs. Some of his popular albums include Domitila, Miss Musembi, Syindu Sya Mutongoi, Neenziwe Nuu, Wikye Kituli, Kavalaku na Nzou, Kayoriyori, Kisangula, Mikorogo and Mkasa Sinai.