1997 is a revered time in Kenya’s football history. The Harambee Stars shone at The Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, beating some of Africa’s best teams. Kenyan spectators were glued to their TVs, crowded at bars, hopeful that we’d finally win the AFCON trophy. Eric Wainaina was at a karaoke bar watching our sportsmen sprint and work together to beat the team they were up against. In the spur of the moment, one of the colleagues at the bar suggested that Eric should write a song about our national football team.
In true football-fan fashion, he went to work. His intention was to compose something good enough for the team to use as their anthem. But, as the 1997 election drew closer, reports of ethnic conflicts in Likoni began to flow to the rest of the country. The state of affairs influenced Eric to rewrite his piece, and instead of celebrating football, the song would unite Kenyans, encouraging us to look past our tribal differences and focus on our togetherness.
Eric Wainaina, who has been one of the most impactful musicians in our country, began his professional journey in 1992 with the band, Five Alive. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2002. “Daima” was penned down in English and originally titled ‘Kenya Only.’ Its name changed when it was translated to Swahili and released in 2001.
The song implores us to commit ourselves to the improvement of our country. Consistency and the love of our country are what keep our beautiful flag flying high. With his melodious voice, Eric goes on to croon about the colors of our flag and what they mean – black for the people and red for the blood that flows in every citizen’s veins; green for the land and white for peace. He The song concludes with Eric making his own promise – to continuously be patriotic. Daima is a melody that has carried us through the darkest times of our history. “Naishi, Natumaini.” “I live, I hope.” Daima moves us to keep living and hoping.
Listen to this Ngoma here – Daima