June 24, 2016 will forever remain in the mind of Ohangla musician, ‘Boy Boyieta Wuod Awasi’ (Timothy Otieno).
That was the day Diel Achiel hit singer lost nine band members in a boat accident near Lihunda Beach in Siaya County, after it capsized. Kenya Maritime Authority described the accident as one of the worst boat accidents in Kenyan waters.
The 16-member band had performed at Lihunda Beach the previous night, and were scheduled for a show at Ndeda Island, located about two kilometres into the lake.
Even though the day seemed to have spelt doom in his musical career, it marked the peak of his musical career, with his hit Diel Achiel loosely translated as ‘One goat’. Boyieta says the hit is real life experience after he got dumped by his wife.
He yields to pressure from family and friends to accept liability and seeks forgiveness from his in-laws, armed with one goat.
“I was frustrated and just wanted to tell the story of what I went through to bring back that girl, but all was futile,” he said.
Speaking for the first time since the incident, Boyieta said, “People have told me to let witch doctors cleanse me from the incident, but I’m holding onto my faith that I will prosper by the help of God,” Boyieta told The Nairobian adding that, “It is true Diel Achiel became a hit after the boat accident, but I want to confirm that I do not believe in witchcraft and I will not dare engage in it. Music is in my blood and I have decided to ignore any rumours.”
On the fateful morning, Boyieta, and one member of the band had moved to another beach, adjacent to Lihunda, where he was to have a nap before moving to the Island. However, the remaining 16 members made arrangements to travel to the Island, and by 8am, they set off, leaving him behind.
“I had planned to get a bigger boat to accommodate all of us, but when I got information that some members had already left, I decided to stay and follow them later,” said Boyieta recalling that bad news reached him by 8.30am.
The 14 band members and two coxswains had capsized. Poor safety measures and delayed rescue saw nine members drown including two dancers, a bouncer, a DJ and five instrumentalists.
Five members and coxswains, however, survived the horror accident which hit headlines in both mainstream and social media.
It was after the accident that all manner of accusations were labelled against the band leader with friends and foes linking his instant rise to fame to the boat deaths.
The band lost all equipment which included; a generator, mixers, speakers, keyboards, drums among other musical regalia estimated at Sh600, 000.
Today, the band depends on hired equipment for shows, and even though the government promised to empower the survivors through Fish Cage projects and new equipment, not much has happened.
During the funeral of the boat tragedy victims, Ministry PS Joe Okudo and Richard Ekai donated Sh900, 000 from President Uhuru Kenyatta to the bereaved families besides pledges to lift the band again.
Two weeks ago band members attended an empowerment program in Nairobi courtesy of the ministry, and they confirmed to have received Sh10, 000 each.
Boyieta Wuod Awasi was born in 1991 in Kakola Village, Kisumu County. The fifth born in a family of six attended Ger Liech Primary School within the same area, but dropped out in class six after suffering persistent wound on his left lower limb.
