Inspector of police Simiyu Khaemba croons inspiration to steer band to fame

Samuel Simiyu Khaemba

NAIROBI, KENYA: His affinity for music started at the tender age of eight. At the time, he would wait until his father was away to secretly practise playing traditional guitars, locally known as litungu and siriri. Little did he know that it would grow into a passion and profitable venture.

Samuel Simiyu Khaemba, an Administration Police inspector based in Kerugoya and father of one, puts his job of keeping Kenyans safe first, before focusing on his band that rakes in a tidy sum to supplement his income.

The band, Nalung’unyo, which has ten members has performed at corporate events, weddings, fund raisers, hotels, churches, birthday parties and various promotional events.

“The band is doing well, receiving tens of invitations to perform at various functions. Sometimes, we get more than two invitations at a time, but right now since we cannot attend to more than one event, so we give priority to the client who books us first,” says Simiyu.

Hiring a full live band plus dancers, costs Sh35,000 - without dancers, you pay Sh25,000. You can also hire acapella vocalists for Sh15,000.

Simiyu, 32, who joined the force in 2007 and is currently studying for a Masters degree in African Music and Ethnomusicology at Kenyatta University, says: “I perform during my free time and on off days. Still, l have a good team that can perform perfectly without me,” he says.

He composes the songs and plays both the litungu and siriri.

Having studied Art and Music for his first degree, Simiyu says music is both learned and genetic.

“My father Joel Khaemba Wabitini was a renown litungu player who thrilled revellers at many local events in Bungoma,” he explains.

“I have capitalised on the fact that there’s no other Bukusu band that plays live music,” he says.

It is not surprising that the band is shining just over one year after it was formed.  After a series of live performances, they released a debut album early this year titled Okhoya Wandayo, which means you need a brother, with seven tracks.

The songs address issues such as social cohesion, current affairs, society problems, HIV and Aids and peace and unity.

He started off with Sh100,000, which he used to purchase costumes, instruments and to take care of incidentals such as transport, allowances and meals for band members when they were performing.

He explains that the band members work in various professions, and some are university students.

Currently, the band performs in the local Bukusu language but promises to use Kiswahili and English for a wider audience in future.

“I am more proficient using my local language to preach peace and unity. My current target is my rural home and the wider Luhya community before spreading out to other communities,” he says, adding that charity begins at home.

He wants the band to be the people’s choice, which will entertain, educate and inform Kenyans at large.

The band takes advantage of social media to market their events and they have done quite well in reaching the fans. “Using our website, Facebook page, WhatsApp and phonebook contacts is a marketing strategy that has worked well for the band,” he says.

“A marketing strategy is the key to any enterprise and our team is taking advantage of technology,” confided Justus Misiko, one of the team’s goodwill ambassadors.

They also use business cards, banners, brochures and partnerships. They partner with upcoming musicians and perform together and promote themselves. The band has four female instrumentalists and one vocalist.

Simiyu was a regular performer at the national music festival and at State House both in primary and in high school. “For three consecutive years - 1999, 2000 and 2001 - l was the best instrument player,” he boasts.