THE LIFE AND THE TIMES OF PETER MUAMBI AND KYANGANGA BOYS BAND.
Peter Muambi must be one of the best known and accredited pioneers of benga music in Kambaland. Interest in him is as strong today as it was 30 years ago. Much is known about him and his orchestra – Kyanganga Boys, and interpretations of his works will be unending in the history of Kamba music from posterity to posterity.
In the little village of Kyanganga, Mwala division of Machakos district, back in the 1960’s was this herdsboy who spend most of his time out in the fields looking after the cattle, his companion, an acostic guitar. He taught himself how to play the instrument that would later become his way of life. When he was able to compose and play music as a one man guitarist, he would, during market days, go out in the market places and display his expertise in guitar strumming skills to the astonishment of many. This was at a time when guitarists and crooners were seen and treated as outcasts, lame and a people possesed with maniac or a evil spirit and no one wanted to be associated with them.
Muambi beat the odds and in by 1967 his popularity had risen slightly throughout kambaland. He would later go to studio and record his first track., “Kyai kya Mukuyuni” in early 1970 and was later on joined by other boys such as ”Marashi” and Charles Mutiso Nzevela among others to form Kyanganga Boys. Much of his composition is based on the matters of love, family issues and moral values with hits songs such as Katungwa, Teresia, Priscilla, Wanzuu, among dozens of others.
During this time, Ukambani was a hub of both rumba and benga music with bands such as Lower Mbooni – led by Stephen Kiw’a, Kitanga Boys – led by Philiph Kioko, Super Kaiti – led by Joseph Mutaiti, Kalambya led by Onesmus Musyoki, Mukaa Boys – led by Jacob Maunda, the robust Kilimambogo Brothers of Kakai Kilonzo among several others.
After the passing on of Kakai Kilonzo in February 1987’s, Kyanganga was leading the scene of music in kambaland with it’s competence lasting till the early 1990’s when Musyoki Kikumbi aka Kijana defected to focus on the mighty Kimangu Boys aided by his brother Kyalo Junior in 1991. Kimangu was given a very stiff competion by Katitu Boys of David Kasyoki and Musyoki with Kimangu taking on till 2000 when Kijana died.
During his time, Peter Muambi recorded many songs. A snapshot of his greatest hits include Wayua, Eka Kuia Mwana, Rose Rose, Katungwa, Ndoni, Ndia, Kavindu, Sweet Mbelu, Sela, ReginaKavata, Syombua, Dunia Mzunguko, Syana Sya Ngai, Mbete Mwaitu, Taabu ni Mbaya, Mpenzi Mary, Anthoni Makwa, Maggy Sweet, Ngwata Kyulu, Telesia, Beth, Avutani, Kanuna, Paulina, kalondu, Wausi, Ngina, Kaveke, Kopulo, Nzombo, Kyonze kya aka, Nyinya wa Mundu, Syombua, Mbithie, Ngato, Mumbua, Nzilani, Mueni, Thina wa itomo, Kyanganga ya Papa, Dunia Mzunguko, Mbuta, Ukamachoka, Syoka Mwikali, Sweet Yula, Wanzuu, Masaku kwa DC, Mbeke, Ndunge, Goodbye Mami, Kamene, Mwendwa Nduku, Rose Nduku, Mukuluti, Ninamenetwe, Kaluki, Eliza, Muthonua, Uathimo Wa Susu, Kinandu, Lilikana Syana, Rael, Mbovi, Muthana ithei, Mbanga Sya Lelu, Ndana, Nzisa, Wailimu na Wanza, Koki, Malaya, Monica, Musili Katua, Nthenya, Kamengele, Kiwe yya Utuku, Kyalo kya sikimu, Kingatuani, Elizabeth Syombua, Mami Makwa, Emma, Kathini Mbiviti, Kiveti Mangaa, Safari Ya Kisumu, Susi, Ruth, Kaseve, Munyiva, Maria, Inya wa Nzomo, Kyai kya Mathale, Nzaumi, Mwendwa Nzisa, Utuku kwa Jane, Thina Nduwaa, Yua yai Yatta, Kanini, Amaitha Makwa, Tumanwe, Tuamini Ngoma.
From the above information, I have no fear to say that Kyanganga Boys under the leadership of Peter Muambi was the mother of atleast all the big bands that we had in 1990s and early 2000’s, either directly or indirectly.
I would like to say that I have been his royal fan since the eras Radio cassettes, upto date
Peter Muambi succumbed to Sarcoma cancer on Saturday 11th May 2013 some few minutes past noon while undergoing treatment at Machakos Level 5 hospital and his remains were interred on Monday 20th May 2013 at his home in Kyanganga village, Mwala division of Machakos district
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