Kalenjin Sisters Part 2

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Kalenjin Sisters Part 2

Kalenjin Sisters to return to first love

By AMOS NGAIRA and ZEDDY SAMBU

You probably remember them for Paulo My Lover, which they released way back in 1997. Five years later today, the Kalenjin Sisters are back with a bang.

They are minus one of their members, though, who died a few years ago – but they remain as much a sensation now as they were then. Original member Angelina Chepkoech is teaming up with Stella Cherono and other talented singers, as well as back-up musicians from Kericho – arguably the homeland of Kalenjin music.

It is at Kericho's legendary Chandarana Studios that the famed Kalenjin musician Kipchamba arap Tapotuk recorded most of his songs. His pre-independence and post-independence tracks struck a chord with many Kalenjin fans across the Rift Valley and other parts of Kenya.

Recently, the Kalenjin Sisters performed in Nairobi at Panafric Hotel, showcasing their immense talent and the traditional aspects of their community. The show was called Kalenjin Nite, and had input from other Kalenjin artistes.

To fans of the group, it marked their return to the music scene. Naturally, the group stole the show with its moving Kalenjin songs, made the more appealing by the duo's captivating voices. New faces in the group also lived up to expectation.

Cherono says their recent performance was "only a taste of things to come as we settle down." She currently plays the distinct role of lead vocalist and has been co-ordinating most of their rehearsals, alongside Chepkoech.

Initially comprising eight members, (five of whom were women) the group released 13 tracks (including Paulo my Lover) then faded away. It was formed in the early nineties.

Paulo My Lover, in particularly, enjoyed good airplay on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). It tells of the tribulations of "a woman feeling let down by a lover she had great trust in".

Kalenjin Sisters also had occasional live shows in Nairobi and other towns. They went ahead to produce other popular songs like Kwaheri Johanne and Nipe Mshahara.

However, according to producer-cum-musician Peter Kigia, when KBC stopped playing vernacular music on its National Service, the group lost out on the national scene. Kigia produced the group's first three cassettes.

Speaking this week, he explained some of the production handicaps, which also affected the group's live shows. "It is encouraging to see them back. I am hoping that, with the liberalisation of the air-waves, we shall hear more of their music."

Kigia recalls his efforts in assisting the band members arrange their music. "I often asked them to translate some of the lyrics and I gave them a hand when it came to polishing their act."

Kigia, who is best remembered for his eighties song, Reke Tumanwo, is set to release his own cassette soon. It will be a follow up to his Ni Wathokirie Handu (1998). He is currently the producer of other leading artistes, such as Newton Karish and Maluini Boys Band.

Says Cherono: "Most of the production arrangements in the initial stages were done by Kigia, but somehow we were unable to continue after we experienced difficulties on the music scene." She cites escalating production costs and lack of sponsorship.

Cherono and Chepkoech are the only original members still with the group after Margaret Chemeli left to form her own, while Rita Chelagat got married. The other member, Elizabeth Chepkorir, died.

At last Friday's Kalenjin Nite, in which Mzee Kipchamba did not show up, the Kalenjin Sisters proved their worth. "We all idolise Mzee Kipchamba," Stella said.

Kipchamba, popularly called "Ndume wa Rift Valley," failed to make it owing to "unavoidable circumstances". He is often backed during performances by his three-man Koilenget Band.

Others who entertained during the show were Makimeny Jolly Stars, who belted catchy beats that confirmed the rich heritage still to found in local music.

The leader, David Korir, decried the notion that "musicians have a lot of money". He said most of them are not yet well established due to lack of support and piracy.

On Mzee Kipchamba, he said the veteran singer occasionally shies away from publicity "thinking he does not have what it takes to go public." Korir, however, credits Kipchamba for nurturing his talent.

Kipchamba's latest song is on the on-going constitutional review, titled Katiba 2002. Others include Watchman and Semina.

The singers were all in praise of the Panafric initiative.

Korir, who doubles up as a vocalist and guitarist in the eight-member band, says he is the only one who has shifted camp from home.

On her part, Cherono disclosed that she is contemplating doing more live jigs in Nairobi and other spots in Kenya. Their focus is still ethnic-based tunes. Cherono regrets the day they shifted towards political songs as the 1992 campaigns got underway.

"This time around, we have a new perspective and will in no way let our fans down."

Desperate for financial assistance after their attempts to venture into Kalenjin territory where women singers were frowned upon, the going has not been easy.

And after a decade, they are yet to own a single musical instrument. All group members come from Kericho district and only occasionally travelled to Nairobi to record at Kigia's Wa-Esther Productions studio.

Cherono is equally aggrieved by the fact that local politicians have not made good their promises to help them.

Lack of instruments and funds has compounded the problem.

Angeline also did some solo stints at Plums Hotel in Nairobi in mid nineties.

Though the group's popularity may partly have stemmed from its name, it has now proved that it was not just a rolling stone. Stella, for instance, teamed up with Makimany Jolly Stars in 1997, where they did four tracks together.

"But I'm now back home to my original group where I hope to continue building my musical career."

Source: Nation Media, Saturday Review [10.08.2002].

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Music instrum
written by joy, November 09, 2007

Amache anai traditional instrument che kikiboisie eng old days

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