mwafrika.com - Wakenya Pamoja Peace Concert

Wakenya Pamoja Peace Concert

12 January 2008 @ Uhuru Gardens

At a time when the country is going through post-election turmoil, the Gospel music fraternity has been vocal in adding its voice to those calling for peace. Acting under the ‘Wakenya Pamoja’ banner, several artists have come together to not only urge peace, but also extend a helping hand to those who have been affected by the skirmishes. It is with this in mind that Wakenya Pamoja put together a peace concert this past weekend.

Held at the Uhuru Gardens, entry to the concert was through donation of food items. Many turned up early despite the scorching afternoon heat, both to present their contribution to the humanitarian effort and enjoy entertainment from the bevy of artists lined up. White was the color of the day, its resplendence symbolizing peace

With Juliani and Mr. V emceeing, the programme kicked off a little after two with some warm up ‘kichwa tu’ moments, before Eunice Njeri led the National Anthem. Its lyrics seemed to take on a new significance as voices rose in unison and passionately called on God to bless this nation. After that, it was into the first set of performances for the afternoon.

The Welcoming Party

Donations In All Colors

Juliani Works The Crowd

Time For The Anthem

Kanjii Mbugua had a rapt audience as he dropped Numbers, part prayer part song, highlighting the different numbers that make up Kenya. He was followed by Mr. V with the popular Busy, this time giving a poignant message – that until we turn away from being busy with everything else and turn to God, we will not see change in our nation. The messages continued to flow with Rigga dropping Mabadiliko, off his recently released album. He soon had everyone singing along to its catchy hook, “I wanna change the world, so help me God…Mabadiliko”

Njoro and Carol Nice dropped a jam each, before making way for Kamau Karongo, with Ngoro Yakwa. Singing the chorus by way of introduction, Juliani pointed out that though he’s a Luo, this Kikuyu song is easily his favorite local track. This one-ness of culture was evident as most people were soon singing along with Karongo. Then it was time for Ignitaz to charm the crowd with their dancing skills, which they did quite effortlessly.

Moze was next on the mic with Mwanga, followed by new girl-group Taji who then ceded the stage to reggae band Heart n Soul. But it was Ben Githae and Sarah Kiarie who got everyone off their seats and onto the ‘dance floor’, and soon the heat didn’t matter anymore as revelers put their best foot forward. When Zaidi Ya Mziki’s Lena jumped onto stage next to pick up emceeing duties, it only got louder! “I hear people are saying I’ve become too fat to dance”, he joked, to shouts of yes, you are! “Well, let’s show them”. And he went ahead to work up his audience with as much vigor as ever, before inviting Esther Wahome.

Rigga Urges 'Mabadiliko'

Kamau Karongo On The Mic

Time To Dance

Ignitaz Show Their Skills

Ever the excellent performer, Esther raised the party a notch higher with two tracks, Ombeni and Kuna Dawa, passionately pointing out that the cure to Kenya’s woes can only be found in God. There was no sitting down as Kisima Award winner Jemimah Thiong’o was next on the mic, first urging young people to keep peace and refuse to be used to cause violence. She then led (because everyone was singing along with her), two tracks, Baba Mwema and the timeless Mwenye Baraka. Pete Odera wrapped up this set before inviting counselor Alfred Kivuncha to highlight counseling services available to victims of the violence and displacement.

The afternoon flowed into service mode with the Jubilee Christian Church (JCC) East worship team leading a praise and worship session. Pastor Gowi Odera gave a brief sermon, pointing out that God still has a plan for this nation, and is our only hope of salvation. He followed it up with an interview with one of the persons displaced from Kibera, Jonathan Nzuki. His heart-rending testimony served to bring home the realities of the last few weeks, and remind everyone that we must find a way to live together as one people, regardless of our tribes.

Pastor Allan and Cathy Kyuna’s Afrika was an appropriate choice to end this set, voices rising up in praise as one people. But there was one more song that everyone was waiting for, a song that has come to represent the message of peace, love and unity in this season. Produced by Robert “RKay” Kamanzi, Pamoja features all the artists involved with the Wakenya Pamoja initiative. Close to thirty of them got onto stage next, ready to drop this slammer.

Esther Wahome Takes Over

Jemimah Leads Baba Mwema

The Odera's: First Pete...

...Then Pastor Gowi

In a freak incident, a section of the stage collapsed, sending several of the artists and the entire DJ table tumbling to the ground. It was a miracle that no one actually got hurt, and after a few tense moments, the performance finally happened. And it was easily the best of the day, and also deeply moving moments as everyone held hands in singing the words of the chorus:

“Wakenya, pamoja, kwa upendo na amani, tuungane; Kenya, pamoja, kwa upendo na amani, tuilinde”

Not an ounce of fervency was lost as the song was repeated – one wishes that the entire country had been there in that moment, lifting up a pact of unity.

With a few more minutes of daylight to kill, Eunice Njeri, Maximum Melodies, Rufftone and Admiral Kilosh as well as MOG and the much missed Zaidi Ya Mziki kept the crowd dancing to the last drop.

The event was a success in a more important way – a truckload of food was donated by those who attended. The Wakenya Pamoja kitty also got a boost from Rigga, who promised to donate proceeds from albums sold at the event. According to SK Blue and Wangeci Mbogo, the two in charge of Wakenya Pamoja’s humanitarian initiatives, several areas of need have already been identified. The food donated will head out to families in Dandora, Huruma, as well as other slums.