Poor weather dampens hope for a thrilling skydiving treat
What you need to know:
- Another veteran artist, Matee Festo, famed for his hit song Stella, which he composed in 1978 when he formed Mwema Brothers Band he was there to remind the crowd of the good, old days. He sang the song with relish.
- Another famous Kikuyu musician, Simon Kihara commonly known as Musaimo wa Njeri who has recorded 180 songs including the famous “Queen wa Musaimo” (Queen of Musaimo) was present, He sang in the song in recognition of the late artist, Queen Jane.
Expectations of a Kenya Defence Forces skydiving display on Mashujaa Day were dashed by cloudy weather on Monday.
The crowd, that included the President Uhuru Kenyatta, waited for the parachutes at the end of the jetfighters’ fly-past which salute the Head of State.
And there was a moment of silence as people stared at the skies in apparent expectation of the Green Eagles of the Kenya Army, but in vain.
There was an earlier announcement that the soldiers were ready to drop from the skies to show their skills.
This would have been the first time for soldiers to skydive during a national day.
However, after a minute the announcer told President Kenyatta that they had decided to call-off the exercise owing to the cloudy weather.
However, other activities followed that kept the crowd thrilled and entertained. The pomp and colour could not go unnoticed.
It was reminiscent of the days gone by in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Kasangas — pioneer gospel singers— entertained the crowd with their hit song Asante Mungu Baba (Thank you God, the Father).
Anne and her husband, Japheth Kasanga released the song in 1993 in commemoration of country’s 30 years of independence.
Another veteran artist, Matee Festo, famed for his hit song Stella, which he composed in 1978 when he formed Mwema Brothers Band he was there to remind the crowd of the good, old days. He sang the song with relish.
Mr Festo who was born in Kitui County in 1954, started the Kenya Administration Police’s Utawala Band in the 1980’s.
He worked for the band at the Kenya Administration Police College until 2009 when he retired.
UNSUNG HEROES
These are some of the country’s unsung heroes who are only remembered during such national day events.
Another famous Kikuyu musician, Simon Kihara commonly known as Musaimo wa Njeri who has recorded 180 songs including the famous “Queen wa Musaimo” (Queen of Musaimo) was present, He sang in the song in recognition of the late artist, Queen Jane.
These were some of the country’s heroes who had been selected to entertain the crowd having made a name in the world of music.
They were joined by others of the younger generation who have made names in the recent past with their artistic talents winning admiration of many Kenyans and the world over.
They included Kevin Bahati Kioko also known as Bahati Tena who has been nominated for various awards including Beat African Gospel Artists of the Year, AGMA 2014. He was the star at the event.
Juma Idi Juma – a Form Two student at Ng’ombeni Secondary School in Kwale also did his thing. He has won top prizes at the national secondary schools drama festivals. He recited a poem entitled ‘Majanga.’
Osogo Owino, who has produced volumes of Ohangla-Benga music also got down to business.
