01/07/2022
WHO IS THIS MAN DR OSITO KALLE?
The year was around 1997 or 1998!
The then national broadcaster KBC used to organize a popular annual benga competition at Nyayo National Stadium called 'Battle Of the Bands!'Musicians and bands back then looked forward to this event, which had corporate sponsors, and whose winner, I think, walked away with ksh 1 million.
Stars of those days like Joseph Kamaru, Sukuma Bin Ongaro, Aziz Abdi, Freshley Mwamburi, Habel Kifoto, Teddy Kalanda Harrison.Queen Jane, DK Kamau, Timona Mburu, and others, put their best feet forward.
But it was the Luo benga maestros who had been winning it. That year, there was fierce rivalry between Princess Jully with Jolly Boys Band, and Aluoch Jamaranda with Super Hekaheka,just about a year after the death of their leader, the great Okach Biggy.
Both musicians, Princess July and Aluoch Jamaranda, were flying high with two songs, both called MALOMALO! Luoland was split right in the middle;with Kisumu/Siaya people throwing their weight behind Jamaranda, while the Migori/Homabay people rooting for Princess.The stage was set! The MC was the Blackest man in Black Africa, Uncle Fred Obachi Machoka!
After the other benga musicians like Kamaru, Sukuma, Aziz and others had been literally booed offstage by the overzealous, restless and excitable crowd,who had travelled far and wide...... to witness who was great between Jamaranda and Jully, their turn came.The two did their best. On one hand, Princess Jully's energy, stage presence and stage show(led by dancer Atommy Sifa wuod Adiedo)was just out of this world!
On the other hand, Aluoch Jamaranda's benga mastery, guitar wizardry and husky voice, was enchantingly bewitching!The judges had a really difficult time determining the winner between Jamaranda and Jully.