A brand new song for Kenya

Kenyan songbird Achieng Abura performs at a past national ceremony. PHOTO / FILE

By PHILIP MWANIKI pmwaniki@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, August 23 2010 at 22:00
In Summary

20 top musician to perform during Friday’s historic fete to welcome the new Constitution

Twenty Kenyan musicians have recorded a song to celebrate the signing of the new Constitution by President Kibaki on Friday.

Led by Achieng’ Abura, the song, Oh Kenya, My Kenya, will be performed by artistes Jua Cali, Nameless, Amani, Juma Odemba, Eric Wainaina, Suzzanne Owiyo, Iddi Achieng and Victor Seii.

They will be joined by other artistes and select choirs in doing the chorus of the song which might be the new unofficial anthem.

The song, which was recorded on Sunday took several days to master and Abura says she is proud of what they came up with.

“I am very honoured to be part of this wonderful occasion in our country,” she said. “It is such a great moment to be Kenyan and I am proud of what we have accomplished as a nation.”

Paul Nunda, also known as Jua Cali, says he is elated to be part of history.

“This is one event I would have done for free. It is such a big moment in our country and to be part of the occasion that ushers in the second Republic will be with me for the rest of my life. This is one moment I will narrate to my children and their children and will forever be humbled,” says Jua Cali.

Abura says she and Suzzanne Owiyo came up with the idea of the song.

Suzzanne then passed the idea to the Permanent Presidential Music Commission which is responsible for the President’s entertainment during public functions and decides who sings what and when.