09/02/2025
Meet Wesildhino Laboso Labwes of Makibe Warriors Band, arguably the best composer of Kalenjin Benga music. His real name is Wesley Laboso and started singing in 2002 during the World Cup at Brazil. He was inspired by Ronaldinho and in the same spirit, changed his name Wesley, to Wesildhino which later became his stage name. His other name 'Labwes' is abbreviation of Lab(oso) and Wes(ley), thus, Wesildhino Laboso Labwes.
He hails from Kabisimba village, Siongiroi Division of Chepalungu, Bomet County, an area that has produced a lot of award winning Kalenjin musicians. With his band Makibe Warriors, he has produced several songs which ruled and continue to rule the Kalenjin airwaves. Some of the popular songs he has produced are, 'Chepkurui Kapkatet, Mabungulu, Tagai Konee Isuanani, Matitishanan, Jedy Jedida, Kindulala, Chekenwon Betut agenge,Makibendi en Kotab Caroline, Kibung'bungun'it, Chelitgut, Kwamutun Komagas, among many many others. In 2003, along with Francis Makinyor of Makinyor Stars, he produced, Bakaktan, Urereni Lakwet, and Indewon Makinyor which also became the then hit songs.
Away from music, Makibe is a gifted artist who specializes in drawing and sign writing. He belongs to Kapkechwoek clan of the Kipsigis people. After piano songs took over, Makibe and other guitar artists took kind of a low profile. But truthfully speaking, he is the most creative Kalenjin secular artist. In 2010, he mentored his village mate, Isimba Jazz, another great artist of our time.
During his days, Wesildhino did several collabos with other musicians like Paul Subembe and Makiche Rotich.
His signature is
...'Makibe Warriors ya Wesildhino, swechin olekalit, borin buch'.
Hail Wesildino Makibe Labwes .
Wapi like zake?