DO Misiani – Was He the Founder of the Benga Music Genre?

I recently came across an interesting argument, as to who the founder of the benga music genre in East Africa was. On one side of the argument, there were those arguing that benga’s pioneer artist was D O Misiani, of Shirati Jazz band. On the other side of the argument, there were those arguing that benga originated from DRC (which was then known as Zaire, under Mobutu Seseseko). I personally think that there is some merit in the argument that D O Misiani of Shirati Jazz band could have been benga’s pioneer artist. If anyone has a contrary opinion, then they should state who – according to them – was Benga music genre founder. 

According to my informed source on the subject, D O Misiani who was from Shirati in Tanzania founded the benga music genre, which then spread to the various Kenyan communities who customized it to their various needs. So, for instance, it founds its way to the Luo community, then eventually to the Luhya, and ultimately the Kisii bands who did very well under the Kundi productions. Most remarkable among the Kisii benga artists of that period were the likes of Christopher Monyoncho (at nyamwari band) and John Sitora, to name but just two of the top names that come to mind. So prolific were these Kisii Kundi benga artists that you could often find people in other parts of Kenya [where Kisii language is not spoken] still playing the music -- in spite of them not knowing what the lyrics were all about. Then it spread further, to the Kalenjin (including Parwai, Kalenjin Sisters original and other bands). At the same time, it was spreading in the central and south eastern part of Kenya – with Kamba artists like Kakai Kilonzo, Mwania and Sila of Kilimabogo brothers, Peter Mwambi of Kyanganga, Mutaiti of Kalambya (and later Kaiti)… among others being D O Misiani’s contemporaries. In the Kikuyu region, the top benga artists who were D O Misiani’s contemporaries included the likes of Peter Kigia, Simion Kihara, Joseph Kamaru and John De Metthew, to name but just a few.

Whether or not he was the very first benga artist, what is not in doubt is the fact that DO Misiani was one of the finest musicians in that genre.

The most attractive thing about the benga music genre tends to be in its fast, danceable beats, its simple messages and its melodious nature. I have come to realize that benga songs tend to fall into two categories. There are those, on the one hand, that are designed to be listened to (typically with very touching melodies and profound messages). Then there are those that are designed to be danced to.

Today, there are probably thousands upon thousands of people who are considered to be benga music artists, and they have taken it to considerably high levels. In the Kamba region, for instance, we have the likes of Maima, Katombi, Kativui, Ken wa Maria, Vuusya Uungu, Katicha, Ithumula, Kilinga/Mulutu… to name but just 8 of the probably 3,000+ Kamba benga artists.

Anybody telling you that benga music’s glory is in the past would be cheating you – as new benga artists are emerging with every passing day. In the Kamba region (whose benga music scene I am reasonably well conversant with), you find youngsters like Katicha Mweene (of Ngaani boys band), the likes of Kelvin Kyalo (of Kenya stars band) and Mada (of Kwandeke Boys band) taking over from where those who have grown old left. Yes, benga music faces competition from other genres, but there is still a certain demography for whom benga music resonates and will always resonate in the near future. For me, this view was further buttressed during a recent Maima (Kithungo Raha band) performance at Bubbles Club in Kongowea – where, in spite of tough economic times brought about by the coronavirus ‘pandemic’, I still found people queuing to buy tickets/to be admitted into the show. And these were mostly youngers, in their late teens and early 20s – meaning that the benga music genre has a future. Thus, the founders of the benga music genre in East Africa – the likes of D O Misiani who was initially the subject of this article – can be proud that what they started has taken root properly, and it seems as if it will be with us for posterity.