By Danson J Kireti
OLIVER LITONDO
Oliver Litondo is more renowned in Hollywood than any other Kenyan save for Lupita. He won the best Male Actor award in the AARP Movies award gala in 2012 for his role in The First Grader beating George Clooney, Mel Gibson, Gary Oldman, Kevin Spacey and Eddy Murphy. Another accolade to his name is the Kalasha Lifetime Achievement Award. He is privileged to have shared a cup of tea {of course he is Lunje} with the big wigs in the world’s biggest film industry being on the winning stage with likes of Naomi Harris, Michael Scorsese ,Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker to name just but a few. He was born and raised in Shikunga village in Western Kenya and started working for the Kenyan media industry in the late 60’s. Litondo is a pioneer actor who has remained relevant for 4 decades and came out of retirement to earn Hollywood acclaim. Old is truly gold.
ESIR MMARI
Whenever South C’s finest is heard then be sure the genius behind it is Esir. He was the Tupac of Kenyan hip hop music. Many loved his music and still do. Ogopa DJ’s did justice to every single record of his from Bamba, Saree, Hamunitishi, Boomba Train, Leo ni Leo, Lyrical Tongue Twista, Nimefika Jo ,Coast to coast and doesn’t Moss Moss just ignite memories? It’s not debatable that if he were alive, he would still be the reigning king of Kenyan rap. His style was unique and on a different platform altogether. He is more of a Kenyan legend having left a legacy at the tender age of 23 years that still lives. He made Kenyan secular music relevant in an era when most musicians were struggling to get airplay and record deals. RIP Esir.
WAHOME MUTAHI
July 22 2003 constituted the darkest hours Columnist Wahome Mutahi’s lovers had to endure. Eleven years down the line, the most renown and beloved Kenyan humorist is greatly missed by a large number of readers within and beyond borders. He was a prolific satirical writer who deftly used his pen to depict the mishaps Kenyans encountered in their daily lives. His memories will forever linger for “Whispers” will forever be in the Kenyan popular psyche. As he smiles down on us we smile back and celebrate him.
FRED OBACHI MACHOKA
Known as Jenerali or Uncle Fred Obachi Machoka alias The Blackest man in black Africa is a veteran journalist and radio presenter. His flair is incomparable with a signature laughter that made his longtime show “Roga Roga” worth a date. Obachi‘s show gets people head bopping. In the neighbourhoods and countryside, fans of “Roga Roga” are seen walking about with radios glued to their ears struggling to get a clear frequency. His captivating voice resonates with millions around the country and Obachi is aficionado of Lingala music and a proponent of the finest African sound from East and Central Africa. He is a pioneer and we celebrate his effort in promoting the African music and remain authentic through the years.
LUPITA NY’ONG’O
The awareness of Ebola could have gone viral but Lupita Nyongo is one name that crossed beyond the unexpected borders. Her walk to fame that led to an Oscar was a result of diligence and perseverance. No one could have rightly and justly been awarded that Oscar if it weren’t her. She deserved it and making Kenya proud in such accomplished stratum makes her a heroine, a shujaa. We celebrate her for showing that “every dream is valid no matter where you come from” Lupita.
JAMES FALKLAND
For the love of stage, the late James Falkland was a veteran theatre personality acting for many years as the managing director of Phoenix Theatre. Acclaimed to be the oldest theatre in East and Central Africa, Phoenix has acted as an incubator for many local thespians in Kenya and many creative art lovers like Ian Mbugua,Lorna Irungu,Carol Odongo,Cajetan Boy,John-Sibi Okumu, Millicent Ogutu,Late Sidede Onyulo, Peter Nduati,Steven Mwenesi, Ronald Kinyangi, George Mungai,Mimbi Kaigwa, Lizz Njagah, Andrew Muthure,Rosemary Nyambura, Rosemary Kagwanja and many others. At 14 years Lupita was Juliet at the Phoenix Theatre in the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. The theatres inception into Kenya instilled and showed great love to nurture and grow creative ability by promoting stage plays. We salute Falkland for being the godfather of Kenyan theatre.
JACKLINE NYAMINDE
She is a hilarious, quite the hoot in character as Wilbroda on Citizen’s “Papa Shirandula” show which has made her a household name. Nothing comes on a silver platter and Wilbroda can attest to the latter. Even though Jackline stormed onto the limelight like a tornado, she is not a new kid on the block. She is a veteran in the industry and has been acting for dog years. Wilbroda is loved by millions of Kenyans. As a celebrated female comedian and excellent actress with a charming down to earth personality, Wilbroda remains amongst our favourite homegrown heroines.
MARY ATIENO OMINDE
Disability is not inability and songbird Mary Atieno was one of the first female Kenyan gospel artists to attain national acclaim. Despite her lack of sight, she sung gloriously with a golden voice that moved masses. It seemed so inconsequential that she was visually impaired because infront of a mic, everyone could see that her voice was heaven sent. Utukufu Juu Mbinguni, Adamu Na Eva, Nakushukuru are a few of the songs she has recorded and performed in many high places. We celebrate her for inspiring the handicapped in society and exemplifying the true strength of a woman.
RICHARD ONYANGO
No one depicts life situations better in painting than Richard Onyango. As any other painter or drawer his name might not be familiar but once his work is displayed then his trademark is revealed.He is a veteran artist having been painting way before photoshop brainwashed us in believing we are short of artistry skills. His paintings are inspired by Drosie a white and curvaceous lady he dated in the coastal regions of Kenya. He has shown that painters are relevant in society and not underdogs as his work has showcased in the world’s biggest art galleries and exhibitions.
ERIC WAINANINA
Known mostly for his patriotic songs Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo,Daima Mkenya,Ukweli Eric Wainanina has also sang other secular music on list Ritwa Riaku,Twende Twende and the latest Selina. He is a Kenyan singer and songwriter who studied in the prestigious Berklee School of Music. He heads a band by the name Mapinduzi Band. Eric has also represented Kenya in many international shows and sung in many internal diplomatic and national gatherings. Being a member of Five Alive together with Chris Kamau, Victor Seii,Bob Kioko and Joe Kiragu they dominated the Kenyan music industry and released their first debut album in 1995. He was appointed ambassador for Kenya Human Rights Commission and GoodWill ambassador for UNEP in 2013. His endeavours in fighting corruption were given full support by Transparency International. He is a fighter for corruption and a better Kenya as a whole.