Former MP key in promoting Benga music

Mr Phares Oluoch Kanindo, who died at the weekend, was well-known in music circles. His name was synonymous with Benga music.

The prominent Nyanza politician and former assistant minister in the Moi government, died on Saturday at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

Mr Kanindo made a huge contribution to the development of the popular music genre, whose origin is the Lake Victoria region.

Mr Kanindo (above) was perhaps the most famous producer of Benga music under POK Music Stores. He made many stars who entertained Kenyans for decades with the easy, danceable beat that continues to rule the airwaves and dance halls.

The former MP, who has been ailing for a while, has been out of the limelight, but he will be remembered as a key figure in the music revolution from the 1970s to the 1980s that produced some of the biggest hits in Kenya.

Talking about Benga, one cannot leave out leading musicians such as DO (Daniel Owino) Misiaini, George Ramogi, Collela Mazee of Victoria B. Kings, Paul Orwa Jasolo, George Ojijo and Awino Lawi.
These leading proponents of Benga had a chance of working with Mr Kanindo and were rewarded immensely for their creativity and prowess.

As Kisumu-based musician and producer Tom Kodiyo put it, Mr Kanindo had a way of interacting with Benga musicians.

The flamboyant Kanindo was linked to EMI Records and partly AIT, which were some of the most prominent recording companies in the 1970s.

Speaking to the Nation in Nairobi on Monday, Super Mazembe band leader Kasongo wa Kanema said: “He had passion for all kinds of music and was always available to assist upcoming musicians.”