The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
The coronavirus pandemic halted plans to have former Wenge Musica star and the father of modern-day Congolese rhumba, Ferré Gola, grace Saturday’s Labour Day celebrations in Kenya.
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Friday told Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle that Gola was scheduled for a grand concert as the country and the world marked workers’ day.
Atwoli said plans for the flamboyant songbird to headline the celebration were shelved in respect to measures to curb the spread of the virus. Gola's visit was to be a follow-up to 2019's celebrations where Double Double hitmaker, Nyboma Mwan'dido, and honey-voiced chanteuse Faya Tess - who was touring Kenya for the second time in 34 years, entertained guests at Uhuru Park Grounds.
Opening up about his love for rhumba, the veteran trade unionist, who was re-elected unopposed for a fifth term on April 9, said he saved for a year to land the one-time associate of Soukous composer and singer, Koffi Olomide.
“We have a department in my office led by a Congolese who is in charge of invitation because most of them [singers] speak French and Lingala. Musicians like Nyboma, Faya Tess, and leading guitarist Sarah Solo, including those who played for Franco have played here [Ildamat]. A young man was to team up with Gola, right here in Kenya, and used to play for Tabu Ley,” said Atwoli.
Atwoli explained that his dally with Congolese singers, who mainly entertain guests at his Ildamat home in Kajiado County, feed into a shared love for good music and the arts, and are not flown in for commercial purposes.
“I am a big fan of Lingala music - I have it in my car, my house. I am also a guitarist. I put up a big dome and invite my colleagues from trade unions to enjoy music every evening. At night, I sing to my wife Mary. Solo - the best female guitarist – left this home recently and sang a very good song to me and Mary... I thank former President Daniel Moi, who during the third anniversary of our independence in 1983, brought Pepe Kale and Franco. It is very important to get associated with such," added the veteran trade unionist.
The COTU boss, who was first elected to the helm of the umbrella body in 2001, said he is revered in the Congolese music scene by rhumba lovers who appreciate his taste and love for the genre.
“I have an attachment to good music and African rhumba. It is the best, it’ll never age. If you listen to songs François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi sang in the 80’s, or those by John Mwale, John Nzenze or Odero Onani, they just sound fresh and better than today's,” he added.
Atwoli went on to note that Kenya has lost its Midas touch when it comes to live bands. He highlighted that Bongo artists; Aslay (Isihaka Nassoro) and Harmonize (Rajab Abdul Kahali) are a representation of the country’s lost glory.
“Aslay and Harmonize are coming up with wonderful music and singing the way we Kenyans used to a long time ago. It’s cheaper for them to produce without a bigger band. But I still believe in Live bands,” shared Atwoli.
Revealing how he waltzes and serenades his wife with music, Atwoli disclosed that his love for rhumba blossomed in Nairobi’s boogie scene.
“When we were young – those of us who were brought up in Nairobi – we had boogies over the weekend in Kaloleni, Jericho, and Bahati Social Halls. During our free time, we listened to rhumba. We had John Nzenze, John Mwale, Isaya Mwinamo, Daudi Kabaka, Bata Shoe Boys, and Peter Toti from Zambia, among others, playing live music here. They initiated us into good music,” said Atwoli.
According to the secretary-general, the boogies were organized, civilized, and decent. Marriage, said Atwoli, had its allure and the exuberance of youth didn’t dilute its essence.
“In those days, you could have a girlfriend, but she was not to go to bed with you. Just for dance. Her parents and brothers knew that you were a boyfriend to their daughter. There was no funny business such as intercourse or bad and dirty behaviors that young people engage in nowadays. People believed that after the wedding is when you had your wife. After the dance, you escorted her home. There were no strings attached. Some, of course, wedded,” said Atwoli.
