This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
Kenyan music lovers are mourning the loss of Laban Juma Toto, a legendary musician who passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 70.
According to sources, Toto died of a suspected brain haemorrhage after he accidentally fell and injured his head last week.
Toto was a renowned musician, composer, guitarist, and singer who was also the chairman of the Kenya Musicians Union (Kemu).
He was a mentor to many young musicians and was known for his popular song 'FC Gor Mahia', which he composed in honour of the Kenyan soccer giants in the early 1970s.
Toto's music career spanned several decades, and he performed with various bands, including the legendary Hodi Boys Band.
He was also a resident pianist at Nairobi's Panari Hotel on Mombasa Road and was known for his song 'Rose Jaber', which he composed to eulogise his wife.
His contemporaries include David Amunga, Shem Tube, John Nzenze, Fanuel Amimo, and Peter Akhwabi.
Many of his fans and fellow musicians have expressed their sorrow at his passing, with some describing him as a resilient musician who persevered despite the challenges he faced.
