By AMOS NGAIRA
Posted Friday, August 12 2011 at 22:51
Posted Friday, August 12 2011 at 22:51
With Saturday's burial of Maroon Commandos founder Habel Mwalumba Kifoto in Kisauni, Mombasa, the curtain finally comes down on the life and career of a father figure in Kenya’s band music.
As he led the band for several decades, Kifoto also provided a launching pad for many young musicians.
Kifoto, who collapsed and died at a Madaraka hotel in Nairobi a fortnight ago, had remained active as chairman of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MSCK).
At the time of his death, he was involved in a project to reissue some of his greatest hits alongside new ones.
In Nairobi, there was a big send-off for him during a funds drive at Ranalo Foods on Tuesday evening.
Some of his old colleagues, including Major (Rtd) David Kibe and Tuesday Oguro, turned up to honour him the best way they knew how — by belting out tunes to the crowd.
His former colleagues in the Armed Forces and officials of the MSCK also attended.
His longtime counterpart and co-founder of Maroon Commandos David Kibe said: “We have lost a patriot who inspired many of us.”
Many will remember Kifoto for not only leading the Lang’ata Barracks-based band to great success, but also for penning the award-winning song, Charonyi ni Wasi.
Composed in his native Taita language, Kifoto wrote the powerful lyrics lamenting how difficult life had become in Nairobi and other towns.
Other memorable songs by Kifoto includeUvivu ni Mbaya, Tucheze Sambale andRiziki.
Though he was a retired army officer, his funeral in Mombasa, will be turned into a meeting ground for his former colleagues and hundreds of his fans.
It was under Kifoto’s leadership that Maroon Commandos stood its ground amid tough competition from the then popular Kenya-based Congolese and Tanzanian bands.
Maroon is spoken of in much the same breath as Les Mangelepa, Super Mazembe, Simba Wanyika, Les Wanyika, Les Kinois and many other bands that put Kenya on the map of African music.
Kifoto started his music career in 1969. He later teamed up with fellow soldiers Kibe, Kizito Juma, Ibrahim Ringo, Shem Shisia and Peter Masheti to found Maroon Commandos at the Gilgil Barracks.
He would later be joined by Tuesday Oguro, who was for years his deputy band leader.
Oguro is remembered for compositions such as Dada Mdaku and Rispa.
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