Sawa Sawa music fest

The annual musical extravaganza went down last Sunday at the Carnivore grounds showcasing great Kenyan music. KEVIN OGUOKO was there to sample the music

It’s sombre Sunday afternoon in Nairobi. The city is still coming to terms with the sad news of the helicopter crash that killed Internal Security minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode.

Feeling of disbelief engulfs the air as musicians gather at Carnivore grounds — few away and overlooking Wilson Airport where the chopper had taken off in the morning — to entertain fans trickling in.

Smooth music sets the mood for the event.  And on the pavements, next to the mowed field, vendors sell their merchandise, which includes T-shirts with graphics of Kenya’s fallen heroes and products of African influence, necklaces and bracelets.

Showpiece
There’s African Yoga for patrons treated to a day of marvel including amazing body acts including stretchings and gymnastics.

Parents are accompanied with children as they lounge on the fields with picnic baskets.
The children playful chase one anas families enjoy day out.

Occasionally the kids will interrupt, asking for a chance to take donkey rides.

Musical performance
The better part of the mid-afternoon sees Kenyan hip-hop stars perform. Octopizzo perform backed-up with a live band.

His rhymes blend well with clever instrumentation as neo soul artiste-cum-actor Anto balances his act with mellow voice. 

Octopizzo then pulls a chair and narrates the story of his life. He tells his fans that he grew up as an orphan in the sprawling Kibera slums.

“I do this for my mother,” he repeatedly sings. Makadem scheduled to perform later, is spotted walking up and down the grounds with his guitar and a huge cowboy hat.

At the far end of the ground the Slum Drummers entertain.  Their instruments are made from waste materials.

Recently, they performed during for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the United Kingdom. They invite patrons who have formed a circle to watch them practice.
As they entertain, singer Kidum makes a grand entry to the stage amid cheers. He performs as fans sing along.

They seem to be familiar with all his songs.  “Tuna omboleza vifo vya viongozi wetu (we mourn our departed leaders),” he says.

In between his performance, Kidum invites Sanaipei Tande for an encore. Her beautiful voice rents the air as she sings the song  Mwizi, a collabo with Kidum.

Shining star
“Ukiona mwanaume akibeba simu kila anapoenda chooni... huyo ni mwizi!” She brings the line out in smooth vocals as the audience goes wild.

Just before sunset, the host, Larry Asego introduces Makadem. Recently from Paris, Makadem steps on stage with a grey overall. He kicks off his performance with benga tunes.
The Slum Drummers finally get to showcase their act as they transverse the stage in choreographed act.

Yunasi step on stage and thrill the grounds with their performance. They make the audience jump to their music to their enjoyment and fulfilment. As they bow out of the stage, they perform their hit single, Usilewe, a stark warning to the hundreds of the festival revellers.

As Yunasi bow out songstress Nyota Ndogo wows the audience with super vocals. Backed with Prince Adio’s dad — of the Ukiwa Ndani fame — playing an old instrument and a Denmark native with the stage name Jesus playing the Galotta instrument, Nyota showcased her prowess on stage.

She invites a young girl dancing gaily and comments that with such moves, she must be from the Coast Province.

The festival ends with a performance from Juliani followed by Napalma who bring in music across the borders from South Africa and Brazil, closing down the festival at some minutes to midnight.