Who is Kativui?

Kativui is one of the top Kamba benga musicians. Some would actually argue that Kativui is THE top Kamba benga music artist, based on the huge numbers of fans who consistently show up at his shows. Even on a national scale, there is no denying that Kativui is one of the very top benga musicians in Kenya.

Kativui is the leader of Kyaume Boys Band. Before forming Kyaume Boys Band, Kativui was performing with Ken wa Maria’s Yatta Orchestra International (which at that time was known as Yatta Boys Band). I once heard that before joining Yatta, Kativui had performed with Mbovi’s Maluini Boyz Band. 

He is a rather well accomplished player of the solo/lead guitar. He is also good on the vocals. But his forte is in composition, and he has composed dozens, if not hundreds of songs that have gone on to become hits all over Ukambani and beyond. Some of the words he coined in his songs have gone on to become part of day to day Kamba vocabulary.

It is not easy to get a complete biography of Kativui, seeing that he is not known to give media interviews easily. Or, as one Nation newspaper journalist once put it, Kativui prefers to speak to his fans through his music. Indeed, he has spoken about his life in several of his songs, and through those it is possible to piece together some sort of biography. That is where, for instance, in his volume 3 hit song ‘Mami Bethi’ kativui tells us that he was born to Elizabeth Munee and Mutua Muyanga at Kako area of Makueni county several decades ago. He goes on to tell us that his was a poor family, with his father often having to do menial jobs in clearing new lands for cultivation and other such difficult jobs. Kativui also mentions that he comes from a large family of 8, him being the 4^th born (and first among the sons).

In a later volume, he tells us how, at some point, he had to move from Kako to his maternal grandfather’s home in Yathui Musoka. He goes on to narrate how is maternal grandfather took good care of him, though apparently, one of his aunts may have been somehow cruel to him.

In ‘Mami Bethi’, he mentions how he got possessed of the spirit of music, which made him a controversial character in the village. And how he worked hard to eventually become a music star, in spite of having what he terms as a modest education.

Some of Kativui’s most popular hits include his debut Manzala, as well as Kadoli, Mali Kamuwetangi, Ula Savuni, Syuo sya Kativui, Mbaika, Ngaati Sukalini, Cynthia Kasupuu, Osa Ngethi Wanzanze (in honor of Ken Wa Maria), Mami Bethi (his autobiographical song) and Mumbi wa Katuti… among many others.