Freshley Mwamburi rejoins Everest Kings

By Kiundu Waweru

In May this year, Freshley Mwamburi, singer of the evergreen hit, Stella, left the Abdul Muyonga led Everest Kings Band to form his own, Vina African Sounds Ochestra, (Vaso).

At the time, Freshley cryptically referred to betrayal: "Katika sisi wanadamu, wengine wetu hatujui kula na vipofu (some of us do not know how to eat with the blind).

Perfoming with his new band at Fiesta Restaurant, nairobi, Freshely had stated that he wanted to dedicate his time to his new band, and even record some new songs.

But alas, it seems Freshley is back at Everest Kings Band; proving Muyonga’s words prophetic.

"I don’t know why he (Freshley) left. I think he had his own problems which he failed to communicate," said the veteran musician in May.

Prodigal son

"I met Freshley in 1987 when he was leading Mavalo Kings Band," Muyonga had told Standard Entertainment, adding, "He joined Everest and he has left twice: Once in 1988 and then 2002. He opted to return on both occasions and I received him with open arms. If he decides to come back again, he is welcome."

Well, Muyonga now says, "Freshley came back to our band a month ago. As I had said earlier, I welcomed him back with open arms."

Together again, the two friends now perform at City Cabanas during weekends.

Freshley had formed Mavalo Kings Band in 1986 before joining hands two years later with Muyonga and they changed Mavalo to Everest Kings. Under Everest Kings, they recorded many songs in four cassettes, including the Mtongwe Ferry which was banned, Karibu Everest Kings, Maggie, Sakina and of course Stella which put them on the national limelight in 1995.

On contacting Freshely, he confirmed that he is now perfoming on weekends at the City Cabanas. But he was reluctant to say why he opted to go back to Everest Kings a few months after quitting and starting his own stable.