A new classical Rumba hit is appealing to Kenyans to vote for Mr. Raila Amolo Odinga as the next President of the country.
Mr. Odinga, who is currently Kenya’s Prime Minister, will vie for President in the next general elections on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket.
“Raila 2013” by Enoch Okwach Opondo and Loba Loba Musica Band has the potential of becoming Mr. Odinga’s official campaign hit.
The song praises Mr. Odinga’s leadership skills, depicting him as a credible and determined leader. It strongly urges Kenyans to rally behind Mr. Odinga at next general elections.
“Raila 2013” is a musical journey both in terms of style and time. Starting as a Congolese Rumba of the 60s - with beats evoking the style of Bavon Marie-Marie & L'Orchestre Négro Succès, the song gradually evolves into Franco Makiadi’s Rumba Odemba of the late 80s before finally flowing into a soft modern Soukous.
The beats of the song which lasts for almost 23 minutes, are complimented by moving lyrics in Dholuo and Swahili, strongly influenced by the traditional Luo Dodo style and modern Benga.
The key message of the song which is repeated in the chorus is: it’s now Mr. Odinga’s turn to lead Kenya, let’s follow him.
The song also hammers home the message that Mr. Odinga, who is popularly known to Kenyans as Agwambo, is development minded, a capable and democratic leader who can lead Kenya to great heights.
Mr. Odinga was the main opposition candidate in the 2007 presidential election. Following a violent post-electoral crisis, he took office as Prime Minister in April 2008 and has since been serving as the supervisor of a national unity coalition government.
Asked why they decided to compose “Raila 2013” song, Mr. Opondo, the Director of Loba Loba Musica Band said during Kenya’s post 2007 election crisis, “many among the current crop of Kenyan leadership showed their true colours: hunger for power at any cost. In the ensuing settlement, Raila as a true statesman, has been willing and ready to forego his personal pursuit for power in the interest of the greater good – a united, prosperous and peaceful Kenya.”
Mr. Opondo, who is a graduate from the University of Nairobi and the University of Oxford, and currently a University Lecturer, added: “We are once again faced with another election and we feel that we need to share our opinion with the rest of Kenyans so that they can vote for integrity if Kenya is to maintain itself on the path to political and economic recovery.”
Loba Loba Musica Band is a Kenyan-Congolese band based in Kisumu, Kenya. It is jointly led by Mr. Opondo and Mr. Frank Mirindi Libe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The band was founded in 2007 as a youth livelihood and development project of Global Education and Development Organization (GEDO). Loba Loba Musica Band plays virtually all genres of music. Its own compositions are however strongly drawn from the popular Rumba and Benga genres.
It mainly does songs in Kiswahili, Luo and Lingala. It also has compositions in other Kenyan languages.
Apart from love songs, Loba Loba Musica Band sings about life in general, education, health, politics, development, etc.
The band has also released other great hits including “Kenya my Country” (a song preaching peace in Kenya); “Jane Auma” (a song on HIV/AIDS); “Nyathina” (a song on the agony of a child lost somewhere in the urban centre); “Yesu wuod Nyasaye” (a thanksgiving song to God for his continued blessings); and “Barack Obama” (a song celebrating the incredible journey of Obama to the White House).
Loba Loba Musica Band plans to produce a new version of “Raila 2013” entirely done in Swahili and a video clip of the same song.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO “Raila 2013”
LOBA LOBA MUSICA BAND’S CONTACTS
Mr. Enoch Okwach Opondo
Tel: +254 (0)733 874 401
On Facebook: Search for Enoch Opondo
By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a
