Elated in Eldoret

The Niko na Safaricom Live Concert pitched camp in Eldoret last weekend, bringing with it lots of fun, games and donations. Tony Mochama and Geoffrey Korio were there.

Musician Wahu performs at the Niko na Safaricom Live Concert in Eldoret last weekend

Having done the road shows all week and rehearsing ad tedium parts of the nights, the Safaricom Live artistes relaxed on the penultimate day at the Hotel Sirikwa in Eldoret. And on Saturday, the caravan visited St Vicente De Paul School and shared their time with the mentally challenged pupils whom Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said society should “embrace as our own, and not chain them and hide them away” (as he once observed in Thika).

The fun, games and donations of sports-and-games kit to the children was done under the deft stewardship of Zaheeda Suleman-Arain, career coach and mentor David Muriithi, Safaricom’s Patrick Mburu and Muthoni Muturi, and artistes Jimmi Gait, Sauti Sol’s Delvin and Baraza.

Later, the troupe rolled to Hotel Noble for lunch where Safaricom’s Anne Nderi and Henry Njuguna kept all entertained, before folks returned to Hotel Sirikwa to prepare for the evening.

Party in the rain

The journey to the Eldoret Showground — the venue for the concert — had its fair share of troubles as a traffic jam caused delays. But the early partygoers did not falter as they trekked on muddy paths to get front row seats and mingle with their much-adored celebrities. Time was of the essence and the event got rolling at 8pm with emcee Squich welcoming the fans.

Come ten o’clock, the grounds were full; even the VIP section was sold out. 

Sauti Sol, as always, were soulful and superb. Camp Mullah, the new kids on the block, are already performing like old skool stage veterans with swag, although not everyone in Eldoret felt them.

Home favourite Emmy Kosgei gave a performance that was one of the best — with her well-choreographed dancing troupe thrilling the crowds.

Jaguar, fresh off one of his a hundred-grand private charity giveaways earlier that day, was well received, as always, with his mega-hit Kigeugeu and its knock-off Matapeli.

Wahu, in a white outfit, wowed the Eldoret crowd with her energetic performance of her retinue of songs, from Still A Liar to I’ll Not Bow Down.

The most frenzied, frenetic, fast and furious performance of the evening, however, belonged to Jimmi Gait, who seemed hell-bent on bringing the thunder and showbiz lightning to the rainstorms of Eldoret.