The singing sergeant

By CAROLINE NYANGA
Standard reporter
Sporting a jungle green fatigue, Vincent Ongidi’s mission seems more than to watch over prisoners.
On this day, Jamarachi – as he is popularly known – and his men are armed to the teeth – only this time not with weapons but guitars, drums, shakers and other music instruments.
At the far end, a group of lanky elderly men are listening to the music and tapping their hands on the table.
This evening, Ongidi who is a senior member of the Prisons Marching Band at Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College is at work. The senior sergeant is also a musician and performs alongside his band of six when called upon. Contrary to the belief that he is difficult to reach for an interview, he is warm and down to earth. His demeanour makes one feel at ease in his company.
With his ‘Bebwa Boda’ band Ongidi has cut a niche for himself even as he fights negative perception about prison wardens.
Different approach"My style of music is different in the sense that I try to remake Luhya folk songs by giving them real life touch," he says. The former teacher says his music has an Ohangla beat and a taste of piano. This, he says, is new in Luhya land.
Ongidi music targets all ages, the reason he is a common face in Luhya theme nights.
The musician says his inspiration came from his 19 years in the Prisons Marching Band.
His debut album Mama Mulayi was released in 2008 and has received wide play in FM radio stations. His other albums include Omwene Dala and Ng’ayo Msebe.
Ongidi’s fans say his music has a refreshing different beat and an eclectic mix of songs done for different audiences.
His previous releases include Mulembe Muno, Baba Alolasa, Khayani Mwana Wamberi, Amoya Keingoka and Baluka Indika.
Despite enjoying some success, he is saddened by the many local artistes have little to show compared to others in the rest of Africa.
While saying young musicians should be supported to ‘up their game’, he says the genre of music should not be a key factor.
"Their ability to sing and perform should be the yardstick," he says.
Ongidi says local FM stations should start paying attention to their listeners, and play alternative sounds like Afro fusion, Benga ‘instead of sticking to the urban razzmatazz they specialise in’.
"I believe that through these albums I will be able to change the way people view local music and be able to appreciate it more," says the musician.