50 Great tunes bound to mark the Kenya @50 Jubilee celebrations

By Sheila Kimani (@sheilakimm)

Celebrating 50 years of independence is no easy feat.

Many Kenyans are proud of the developments that have come about within the 50 years since indepence and you can feel the excitement in the air as Kenyans wait to celebrate and make merry on the 12th of December.

What even makes the holiday better is how an extra day December 13^th has been added to the holiday so Kenyans can take time out to appreciate the milestones so far.

Former President Mwai Kibaki even gave a public lecture on leadership, as part of the Kenya’s Jubilee celebration.

In His lecture he affirmed that “My generation has lived the best years of their lives over the past five decades; the future, most certainly now belongs to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,”

 “The 50^th anniversary of any human endeavor is a very important juncture, it is necessary to take stock of road travelled during the period,” said Kibaki.

As part of the celebrations, legendary producer Bruce Odhiambo came up with a list of some of the best tunes over the last decades that are bound to be played during the celebrations. Check them out and find out if your favorite song features on the list.

1963-1973

1. Helule - Daudi Kabaka

2. Dereva Kombo - Fundi Konde

3. Malaika - Fadhili Williams

4. Pole Musa - Peter Tsotsi& Nachil Pitchen.

5. Taxi Driver- Fadhili William & Malaika Boys

6. Maoni ya Twist- John Nzenze

7. African Sunset- The Bata Shoeshine Boys

8. Someni Vijana- David Amunga

9. Murata, I love you- Daniel Kamau…DK

10. Mtoto si Nguo" by John Mukabi

1973-1983

1. Higher - Kelly Brown

2. You Can Do It - Slim Ali And The Hodi Boys

3. Sina Makosa - Les Wanyika

4. Jambo Bwana – Them Mushrooms

5. Lunch Time- Gabriel Omollo

6. Bwana Nipe Pesa –Super Mazembe

7. Cucu wa Gakunga- John Ndicu

8. Embakasi- Mangelepa

9. Amka Kumekucha - Maroon Commandos

10. Isabella Muga---Owino Misiani/ D.O Shirati Jazz.

1983-1993

1. Karubandika - Kasaloo Kyanga

2. Adamu Na Awa - Mary Atieno

3. Shauri Yako – Nguashi Ntimbo

4. Mama Lea Mtoto – Safari Sounds

5. Afro - Les Wanyika

6. Hinde- Nyumba ya gorofaa- African Vibrations Band

7. Stellah- Freshly Mwamburi

8. Vidonge Vyao—Maalika

9. Achie Maria- Ochieng

10. My Land is Kenya- Roger Whitaker

1993-2003

1. Mama Mia - Chameleon (Ugandan)

2. Tafsiri Hii- Kala Mashaka

3. Unbwogable - Gidigidi Majimaji

4. Mos Mos - Esir

5. Kenya Only- Eric Wainaina

6. Ninanoki – Nameless

7. Uhiki- Hardstone

8. Ting Badi Malo- Gidi Gidi Maji Maji

9. Total Ballaa- Poxy Pressure

10. Dunia Mbaya- Princess July

2003-2013

1. Ndoa Ya Machozi -Tony Nyadundo

2. Riziki - Jamnazi

3. Kuna Dawa - Esther Wahome

4. Kiasi- Jua Cali

5. Kisumu 100 – Susan Owiyo

6. Money Lover- Sauti Sol

7. Kigeugeu- Jaguar

8. Tobina- Daddy Owen

9. Kadhaa- Nonini

10. Taunet Telel- Emmy Kosgei

To celebrate Kenya at 50, here is a look at how Kenyans lived 50 years ago: