PATRIOTIC SONGS THAT HAVE KEPT KENYA GOING BOTH IN TIMES OF SORROW AND IN TIMES OF CELEBRATION

Mzee Jomo Kenyatta-First President of the Republic of Kenya

Patriotic music has always held a special place  in Kenya's political
and socio-economic history  right from former presidents Mzee Jomo
Kenyatta ,Daniel Arap Moi ,Mwai Kibaki and now President Uhuru
Kenyatta era.These songs were written from as far as the colonial era
to remind the populace of its need to free itself from opression.
First and foremost  the Kenya National Anthem written by the Kenyan
Anthem Commission in 1963 based on a pokomo song that used to be sang
to children,has a number of importance.The national anthem is not only
a prayer bust also encourages national unity,discourages tribalism and
encourages patriotism.Other than the national anthem veteran musician
Erick Wainaina  often sang about political and social injustices that
kenyans experienced ,same to legendary rapper  Juliani in his many
songs.These two artistes are not any far different from the likes of
Thomas Wasonga who sang Tawala Kenya  or even Kaikai Kilonzo of Kenya
Nchi Yangu. whether  praising the state and our heritage as a country
or pointed towards political and social injustices ,patriotism is
still a factor that cannot be left out.

Daniel Torotich Arap Moi -Second President Of T he Republic of Kenya

kenya  has  in the past suffered from a number of outside attacks
especially from the the likes of Alshabaab terrorist group ,in the
recent Westgate Mall and  Garissa University attacks mainly.As a
country we have also fallen prey to internal conflicts with land
being  the centre of attraction.The last post election violence which
took away the lives of many innocent kenyans was also fuelled by
waring communities either ignited by political or ethnic
differences.Otherwise to date,the citizens of this country still
suffer from acts of Domestic Violence,Nepotism and even Corruption
hence by having our own musicians tackle such issues by providing
healing through their different  songs has helped this country a great
deal .

Kenya's third president Mwai Kibaki during a past function with Kenyan Athletes

We have also witnessed in many cases Musicians coming up with songs
either in praice or appreciation of the good work of our sports men
and women who have in a number of times made this country proud in the
field of Athletics,Football and Film .Nameless in the song Coming Home
which was done mainly as an encouragement to the Kenya Rugby Sevens
Team  , Khaligraph in the song Yego  done in honor of World Javelin
champ Julius Yego and even Octopizzo has constantly used the term
#TeamTergat in honor of  famous  Athletics champion  Paul Tergat  in
many of his utterances.

President Uhuru Kenyatta ,during a past function with Kenyan sportsmen

TRANSFORMATION OF KENYAN MUSIC
Since the mid 1990's Kenya n music has experienced  a radical
transformation .The music of the older artistes and their
corresponding age groups has not gone away,but a whole new set of
younger players has come on the scene and they are moving in a much
different direction.This explains the difference in  style or even
conveyance of their music due to difference in lifestyle,however
patriotism is still evercised in both cases .

MUSIC & HEALING  DURING POLITICAL TURMOIL
According to David  Otieno Akombo in his article Music and Healing
during Post Election Violence In Kenya ,many cultures incorporate
music to transform unhealthy people to healthy  ones.All over the
world ,traditional and modern non-western music healers,trained music
therapists and physicians have used music to heal people during
political turmoil and usually majority of the songs used are
patriotic.

Below are the different patriotic songs that we've had since
independence both with the older and new generation

PATRIOTIC SONGS OF THE COLONIAL AND POST COLONIAL PERIOD

-Kenya National Anthem
VIDEO

-Tawala Kenya by Thomas Wasonga
VIDEO
-Kenya Nchi Yangu by Fadhili Williams
VIDEO
-Kenya Nchi Yangu by Habel Kifofo
VIDEO
-Kenya Nchi Yangu by Esther Wangu
VIDEO
-Kenya Nchi Yangu by Kaikai Kilonzo
VIDEO
-Kenya Kipenzi Chetu (Tribute to Kenya Rugby Sevens)
VIDEO
-Tushangilie Kenya
VIDEO

PATRIOTIC SONGS OF THE MODERN NON-WESTERN SETTING

- Daima (Kenya Only) by Erick Wainaina
VIDEO
-Mungu Baba by Rufftone ft The GSU
VIDEO
-Kenya Nchi Yetu by Juliani
AUDIO
-Coming Home by Nameless
VIDEO

-Barua Kwa Rais by Jaguar ft Sudi Boy
VIDEO
-Barua Kwa Magufuli by Lang Katalang ft Sir Guy
AUDIO
-Ukabila by Stamminah Gusto
VIDEO
-254 (Kenya) by Nick Msanii
AUDIO
-Tuungane Tumalize Ugaidi by Vic Matata,Critical Kondishon,Felo
Mistari ,C-Nario & Migori All Stars
AUDIO

Lets embrace peace during this campaign period and like the late
George Saitoti once emphasised ,there comes a time when the country is
bigger than and individual