Karua sings a song of peace and unity

By Kiundu Waweru
Gichugu MP Martha Karua is a woman of many talents, the least known being her musical exploits. But last Friday, she recorded a song that features other prominent individuals, including Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Karua joined popular hip-hop gospel artiste Juliani (real name Julius Owino) at Click Track Record Studios in Kileleshwa and took the microphone to deliver her lines, to the delight of those present.
This was in support of Sudanese singer Emmanuel Jal’s We Want Peace (WWP) campaign. The initiative’s anthem, Tribalism, will be released in April. Others featured on the song include Sudanese SPLM leader, Yasir Arman, businessman Jimnah Mbaru and PR guru Gina Din.

Singer Juliani poses with Martha Karua after the recording last Friday.

The Gichugu MP in action. She endorsed the campaign by Sudanese singer Jal, who is rallying the youth to shun tribalism. Photos: Kiundu Waweru/Standard

With guidance from Juliani, the MP asked for a pen and paper and went ahead to compose her own lyrics, donned her headphones and stood in front of the mike to render her lyrics: "Our diversity is a strength, which we must celebrate, tribalism is a disease, it destroys a healthy mind, na ni deadly kushinda ukimwi..."
Shun tribalismJuliani expressed his pleasure at Karua’s use of Sheng. At one point, Karua pleaded: "Wacha nivute pumzi," (let me catch my breath, which triggered laughter in the studio.
After recording her written vocals, Karua then sang the theme song, which calls on the youth to take command and shun tribalism.
In a light moment at the studio, Karua, who has expressed her intention to run for the presidency in 2012, confessed that although people have different gifts, hers was clearly not in singing. But she said she felt it was important to support the cause.
"I think this is a very positive campaign and any serious leader would want to support it. We truly have a problem of negative ethnicity and when our youth hit the campaign trail, we really need to support them."
Colour of the skin Karua praised Jal and Juliani for their effort in preaching unity in all humanity, adding: "At the end of the day, we are human beings with similar needs, despite our ethnicity, or the colour of the skin."
Karua said she was approached by Jal, the former Sudanese child soldier turned musician, on the social network, Facebook and she says she liked the idea of his campaign and agreed to support him.
The WWP campaign was launched in December 2010, and has so far received high profile endorsements from international celebrity musicians, politicians and businessmen.
Jal’s debut single, "We Want Peace music video,’ features celebrated American artistes such as Alicia Keys, George Clooney, and popular figures like Kofi Annan, Peter Gabriel and flamboyant British magnate Richard Branson.
The campaign comes at a crucial time when more than 18 countries in Africa are going through elections between now and next year. This week, the results of the South Sudan referendum are also due, and it is expected the region shall become Africa’s latest state.
Vote wiselyWWP aims to propel a powerful and musical message denouncing tribalism and encouraging young people to vote wisely, based on individuals’ vision and positive development.
WWP has already made a mark in many parts of East Africa and beyond.
Jal, who is also an actor and activist, used the WWP campaign successfully in his country’s referendum vote, and he wants to replicate the same in volatile countries on the continent.
Positive messagesAcknowledging the place of artistes, Karua said she incorporates music in her campaigns, "as artistes are universal and speak to all of us," she explained.
"I look for songs that have a message and use them. In Kenya, we need such positive messages," Karua added.
Juliani is upbeat that the hip-hop track, which will also have a video, will be a big hit, and that the youth will take heed of their message and shun tribalism, especially during the election period and beyond.
The message should be particularly timely for Kenyan youth as they gets into election mode.