Top 10 Kenyan Hit songs of all time

These are some of the hit songs in kenya of all time that have never lost relevance. Though some of them were sang in the 20 Century Kenyans can still identify with them. They were composed and sang by some of the musical greats in Kenya and have received national and international recognition.

1.Fadhili Williams- Malaika

A love hit song that has received international attention. Malaika was first sang and recorded by Fadhili William in 1959. The song was recorded in Columbia East African Music Company studios.

However there is an unsolved mystery as to who composed the song. It is not clear who between Kenya’s Fadhili William and Tanzania’s Salim David wrote the song. However despite all that many famous musicians like Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, Henry Hamisi and others have also recorded their versions of the song.

2.Eric Wainaina- Daima mimi Mkenya

Every time we have national celebrations like Madaraka and Jamhuri days we have to sing this song. Daima Mkenya is usually played when we need to promote national unity and cohesion.

Veteran musician Eric Wainaina wrote the song in 1998 intending to write it for Harambee Stars. The song was widely used after the Post-election violence in 2008 to promote peace and healing. The song never loses relevance in Kenya.

3.Eric Wianaina- Nchi ya kitu kidogo

Nchi ya kitu kidogo means ‘Country of small things’. Eric wrote the song in 2001 to campaign against corruption since it was rampant. He received international recognition for the song.

Transparency International funded him to move all over the country in 2001. He educated Kenyans using his song on the negative effects of corruption.

4.Daudi Kabaka- Harambee

Harambee harambee celebrates our national identity as Kenyans and is always sang in national celebrations till today.

5.Habel Kifoto and Maroon Commandos- Uvivu Mbaya

This song was released in 2011 and sang by veteran military band Maroon Comandos. Going by its name, Uvivu mbaya reprimands laziness and its negative effects on the country’s economy. It is a beautiful rhumba song that means Laziness is bad.

6.Nameless- Nasinzia

Nasinzia means I doze off as I think about you. The hit song was released in 2006 by David Mathenge whose stage name is Nameless. The love song is done creatively and speaks of a lover who is madly in love with a lady. The song is still played in Kenyan radio stations and matatus these days. Nasinzia received a major boost in 2016 when a cover was done by Maisha Superstar Phy. The cover received international recognition.

7.Angela Chibalonza- Ebenezer

Ebenezer is part of the late Angela Chibalonza’s album Nimekutana na Yesu. The album was officially released in 2014. The gospel hit song is still relevant in today’s Christian circles. It is sang in today’s churches and played in gospel radio stations.

8. Eric Wainanina and Oliver Mtukudzi- Twende twende

Eric Wainanina teamed up with veteran afro fusion musician Oliver Mtukudzi to release the song in 2006. The afro-fusion piece was aimed at raising awareness of peace and integration among Kenyans. The song was picked up by a local telecom company as a theme song.

9. E-sir- Boomba train

Many Kenyans cannot forget the sensational Issah Mmari alias E-sir when he released Boomba train in 2003. The hip hop hit remained on the airwaves for a very long time. Singers like Kajairo even remixed the song.

Boomba Train is sang every time the late rapper is remembered for his contribution to the Kenyan music industry. The hip hop piece talks about people partying and having fun.

10.Gidigidi and Majimaji- Unbwogable

This song gained major attention when the National Alliance Rainbow Coalition used it as a campaign song. Mwai Kibaki trounced KANU’s Uhuru Kenyatta overwhelmingly in 2002 to be Kenya’s third president.

Unbwogable was used to communicate that NARC cannot be scared by KANU. The hip hop song was done by rap artist Gidigidi Majimaji in a mix of Luo and English language. The song is drawn from the Luo word ‘bwogo’ which means scare. ‘Who can bwogo me. I am unbwog-able’.