The quote “life is short” is a reminder to spend our time doing what we love. To chase our dreams and be the best versions of ourselves. Kakai Kilonzo embodied this quote throughout his musical career, and by the time of his untimely demise he had a large fanbase because of his contribution to the benga genre.
Kakai was born in 1954 in Kilimambogo, Machakos. His humble beginnings shaped the course of his life, starting with his inability to complete his studies. After only three years in primary school, his parents were unable to sustain fee payment, and so Kakai dropped out and began working as a herdsman, tending to his neighbours and relatives’ livestock to earn a living. To entertain himself while out in the field, the ingenious young boy made a guitar out of a large metal can and several wire strings. The melodies he strummed on this instrument and the tunes he composed helped him pass the time while in the field.
He caught his first break in 1970 when he was employed as a harvester on a pineapple plantation run by Kenya Canners in Thika Town. Kakai was content with his new job and increased income, but little did he know that this was just a steppingstone to his true calling. He continued to create music on his handmade guitar until 1972 when he purchased an acoustic guitar from another budding musician called Joseph Sila. With this, Kakai began performing at evening parties known in the Kamba dialect as tumisonge.
The next year Kakai became acquainted with Joseph Mwania, who also worked at Kenya Canners. Their shared interest in music sparked a friendship, and the two even began creating music together in their free time. After a few months, both quit their day jobs to fully devote their time to composing songs. They moved to Nairobi and teamed up with Sila. The trio named themselves Kilimambogo Brothers and began working on ways to get their songs out to the world. The band was later joined by Francis Danger and John Chuma. The Kilimambogo Brothers landed frequent appearances on radio and television. They finally created their first studio recording in December 1974.
The first few songs the Kilimambogo Brothers created were sold to producers. In 1976, they had raised sufficient funds to start the Kilimambogo Brothers Label. Their previous songs such as Katulu na Bell Bottom had been in Kamba, but under their label they released their first Swahili compositions. Kakai composed the music for the band, and his lyrics were often laced with humour and satirical remarks which made their music very popular.
In 1978, Sila and Mwania parted ways with Kakai and formed Original Kilimambogo. Kakai renamed his group Les Kilimambogo and continued to create music with the remaining bandmates. His intricate guitar melodies made his songs fall under the umbrella of benga music. This, coupled with the move to composing songs in Swahili, gave his work a wider reach. In 1983, he recorded a solo album that included Mama Sofi, one of his greatest hits.
A brief illness in 1987 led to Kakai’s hospitalization. He was diagnosed with cerebral malaria, and succumbed to the disease two weeks later, on 28th February. At only 33, Kakai had realized his passion and lived his life to the fullest. He lives on through his music, which is still popular over 30 years after his death.
Remember the work of this #KeMusician by listening to Mama Sofi.