We can all agree that poems today don’t have to follow the traditional format that entailed rhymes. If anything, poems – and even songs, are most celebrated for the message they communicate.
Julius Owino, or Juliani, as he is popularly known, has risen in the Kenyan music industry for his ability to fuse instrumentals with poetry bars that leave his audience stunned (in a good way). But of-course there is one song (or poem, or rap) that supersedes the rest.
In 2013, overviewing the situation prevalent throughout the country, one thing was a clear as day – corruption was taking over the government. Greedy politicians meant suffering wananchi. And above this, the country was still reeling from the effects of the 2007/8 post-election violence that birthed tribalism.
Juliani has mastered his craft. He is known to write at every chance, and took note of the matter at hand. It was no surprise that the words became a song, but what did surprise Kenyans, was how accurately he spoke on our behalf. The song was titled ‘Utawala’.
Utawala tackles and creates further awareness of the evils bedeviling the country; things like tribalism, selfishness, and corruption. The chorus remains catchy six years later and we often find ourselves singing one specific part – ‘sitasimama maovu ya kitawala’. But listening to the song while watching the music video makes it all the more patriotic. The black and white draws you to the past, featuring scenes from independence to the Jomo Kenyatta statue in the CBD. It focuses on Kenyans that would otherwise remain unrepresented – the welder in Muthurwa, the mama mboga busy at work, a music producer and even a waiter – showing the diversity of occupations, but also emphasizing on the various people from which the song speaks for.
Listen to this Ngoma here – Utawala