Politicians in Kenya are known for roping in songs during campaign period to help sell their agenda. Some even go to the extent of having musicians compose songs specifically tailored to suit campaign promises as well as praise them for what they have achieved in the political scope.
This music which can be in vernacular, Kiswahili or English would then be used throughout the period with political parties being identified for their exclusive tunes.
Also, this has been done over time in Kenya’s political landscape and has since become a norm in the country’s election cycle.
Here are some of the songs that evoke memories of various elections in Kenya’s history.
Songs Evoking Kenyan’s Memories
Daima Mkenya
Daima Mkenya translates to forever Kenyan. It was written in 1998 by Eric Wainaina and first widely used during the bomb blast at the American Embassy where more than 200 people died.
In a past interview, Wainaina narrated that the music was inspired by political violence in Kenya and going back to multi partyism era and the genocide that happened in Rwanda.
“The inspiration for it sorts of came after many years of political violence starting from 1992 when we first went back to multi -party democracy, and then when we saw what happened in Rwanda in 1994.
“At that time, I was a student in daystar, I remember getting to school and seeing all these Rwandese students hearing this news and breaking into tears.” Eric noted.
The song describes the Kenyan spirit of unity, patriotism and the bravery of those that were in the front line to fight for independence.
Also Read: Inspiring Story of Sofiya Nzau: What You Need to Know About Mwaki Hitmaker
“Umoja ni Fahari yetu, undugu ndio nguvu, chuki na ukabila, hatutaki hata kamwe.” Loosely translating to, unity is our pride, oneness is our strength, we don’t stand for hatred and tribalism.
Further, Daima Mkenya became popular in 2007/2008 during the post-election violence which saw many Kenyans injured and displaced from their homes.
During this period Kenya was divided on tribal lines and the song Daima Mkenya was played severally on the tv screens as a reminder that Kenyans are one to help preach unity.
Lero ni Lero
Lero ni Lero is a recent remix of the song Leo ni Leo done by by celebrated Benga musician from Western Kenya Emmanuel Musindi and ODM Party leader Raila Amolo Odinga.
The word Lero is Luhya for leo or today hence leo ni leo as heard in the song.
It became popular in 2022 after Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition made it their campaign anthem, having it played every time they had a rally as one of their campaign songs.
Moreover, the remix was meant to hype Raila Odinga’s presidential bid expressing hope of him finally bagging Kenya’s presidential bid after several attempts.
The message sent was that whoever thinks otherwise about his bid is wrong adding the Azimio slogan of ‘Inawezekana’ meaning it is possible in the song.
“Lero ni lero, Inawezekana, asemaye kesho ni muongo,” notes a line from the song.
Uhuru na Ruto Tano Tena
Uhuru na Ruto Tano Tena song was written and performed by renown kikuyu gospel musician Ben Githae in 2017.
The song aimed at rallying support for Jubilee party presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate Willia Ruto during the 2017 election period.
In the song, the musician is urging Kenyans to vote for Uhuru Kenyatta for a second term in government under the Jubilee political party.
“Wakenya twasema Uhuru Ruto, tano tena” to mean Kenyans have decided to give the sitting president and his deputy another five years in office.
The musician further highlights the development projects including railways lines, roads infrastructure and developments in the healthcare sector done by the politicians echoing efforts to have them back to the state house.
As a result, the song was used during the campaign period which saw Uhuru Kenyatta win the Presidential Bid against ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Also Read: Popular Kenyan Musician Kristoff Makes Comeback to Music Scene after Two-Year Break
Unbwogable
Unbwogable is a mix of English and Luo dialect meaning I’m unshakable.
The song was produced by Tedd Josiah and sang by hip hop duo Gidigidi and Majimaji.
It dominated the airwaves in 2002 when it became the anthem for the late retired president Mwai Kibaki’s election campaigns looking to take over from Daniel Moi who had ruled the country for over two decades.
Unbwogable was the campaign song that got Kibaki into State House, as it whipped up the emotions of the masses and rallied them behind his candidature.
Gidi Gidi while appearing at a past interview with Daniel Ndambuki, alias Churchill said that National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) Party members including Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga, Charity Ngilu, and the late George Saitoti adopted the song to propel their campaign.
NASA
Onyi Jalamo before he released NASA song was an unknown musician entertaining small gatherings and fans in Kibra estate.
His biggest release, the NASA song was a political praise song done in honour of the National Super Alliance (NASA). It was the most played song in 2017 especially during the campaign period.
In the song, Onyi praised presidential candidate Raila Amollo Odinga saying he would win the presidential bid under the NASA party.
