This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta met with members of the legendary Mwakigwena Choir Group at State House, Mombasa, and rewarded them for their immense contribution to Kenya's rich heritage through their music.
The group, which started out as a school choir in the late 1970s under the tutelage of music teacher and composer Enock Ondego, was particularly loved by Kenya's founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and many of the country's freedom heroes for its patriotic music.
President Kenyatta thanked the group for their selfless service and said his administration will continue supporting national heroes who have helped shape the nation. He also emphasized the importance of remembering the country's history, stating that a nation that forgets its past is a weak nation.
As part of the government's reward, each of the 14 members of the group has been allocated three acres of land at the Bunguni Settlement Scheme in Kwale County. The President also promised to take care of the ailing Mwalimu Ondego's treatment costs.
Present during the meeting were Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, Lands CAS Gideon Mung'aro, and Lands PS Dr Nicholas Muraguri among other senior government officials.
Ms. Wimbo huu ni Wimbo wa Historia and Kenya ni nchi ya ajabu are some of the songs that made the group a national sensation and continues to be a reference point of Kenya's struggle for independence from British colonialism.
Ms. Mwanakombo Gwerenya, the chairlady of the group, thanked the President for his support to the choir and requested an opportunity to perform at any of the country's national holiday celebrations.
On his part, Ondego thanked the President for the transformative development agenda his government is undertaking, saying Kenyans will forever be grateful for his visionary leadership.
