This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
On June 12, 2020, thousands of residents in Kisumu gathered to pay their last respects to the late Luo popular musician Benard Onyango Obonyo, also known as Abeny Jachiga.
Despite government directives and guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the mourners vowed to attend the burial ceremony, disregarding the rules.
Uniformed anti-riot police officers were deployed to ensure the Covid-19 rules were observed, but the crowds were undeterred.
Some of the mourners were quoted as saying that the teargas being used by the police was actually helping to get rid of the coronavirus, and they asked for more police officers.
Abeny Jachiga was a well-known musician who had a successful career, mentoring several artists and instrumentalists, including Lawy Jakabonyo, Boss Wuod Nyasembo, and Awilo Jakatolo.
He was born in 1987 in East Kolwa-Chiga location, Kisumu East Sub-County, and started his musical career at the age of 21 as an instrumentalist.
Abeny Jachiga's music career spanned several years, with him playing at the former Gwara Gwara club in Kondele and later moving to Nairobi in search of a greener pasture.
His music career was marked by the release of his hit song 'Kasinde' in 2018, which led to him moving to Nairobi with his band.
Abeny Jachiga was a successful family man and a mentor to many young artists and instrumentalists.
