Bindu Bichenjanga by Amos Barasa: The Making of a Hit! Video, The Politics, Hidden Symbolism & Powerful Message

Bindu Bichenjanga is contemporary Bukusu pop music song by Amos Barasa. Amos- a young man probably not yet thirty- represents this breed of new age musicians comfortable singing in vernacular. A talented generation of Luhya entertainers who like their peers in Kapuka (AfroPop if you like) are brave in their sound. Revolutionizing  traditional vernacular music with hip hop, house, calypso and even Rhumba .

Amos Barasa in scene from the Bindu Bichenjanga video. Image: YouTube/Godricks/Amos Barasa

Going by his 'swahili-nised' Lubukusu, Amos, who's said to have begun his signing career in high school, must hail from Kimilli, Kamukuywa or Tongaren thereabouts. Anywhere where the W'Amutala -the speakers of this dialect of Lubukusu- hail from. Thanks to this accident of nature, unlike Steve Kay who in "Mbe' Omukhasi", had to layer Swahili and English to increase the crossover appeal of  his run away hit, Bindu Bichenjanga, Barasa's native way of speaking does the crossover work  for him.

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Kutalang`i By Wanjala wa Mandari & The Untold Story of Micheal Kijana Wamalwa & Musikari Kombo: A review

"Kutalang`i" is a Bukusu song that's closer to Wasike W'Musungu roots than the modern Bukusu pop sounds of Steve Kay. It was done by Wanjala Okumu and Wanjala W`Mandari and released in 2008.

Kutalang`i is Bukusu for the Lion King. 

Male lion (Kutalang`i)

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A portrait of Moses Masika Wetangula through Bukusu music, urban legend and hearsay

Politics is war. Without the bullets, bombs and hopefully refugees. And so Mudavadi has Michael Osundwa Sakwa to do a job on Oparanya in the manner that Wetang`ula has Khalwale on. Ababu’s overflowing with brotherly love as he shovels propaganda to bury Mudavadi.


The Wamalwa-Uhuru bromance comes second only to the defiance of a good wife by the side of her public figure husband battling accusations of improper sexual relations-in the manner that Hillary Diane Rodham stuck on Bill- sitoki. Sibanduki. But as they say, all is fair in love and war.

Politics like chess, is a game of strategy

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Bungoma County: Women County Representative intrigues.

The seat for County Women Member of Parliament commonly referred to as Woman Rep has attracted thereabouts 10 candidates as at my last count. Like in the Bungoma governor race, the chisenye are incumbent Hon Dr Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi and Catherine Nanjala Wambilianga. The rest are chinywinywi.

The Political party factor

Hon Reginalda is defending her seat on Jubilee party and the challenger Catherine is Ford Kenya's candidate. Make no mistake, Bungoma county is a Ford Kenya strong hold. First, it's Weta, Hon Moses Wetangula, the NASA principle`s backyard.

Secondly, Ford Kenya has been Omubukusu's liberation vehicle from their days in opposition. The days of Masinde Muliro Wa'Makinia and Wamalwa Kijana. In fact Wamalwa was buried with the FK flag in a similar manner that a patriot is buried with the nation's flag.  This, serves as an apt reminder of the symbolism of the party's cultural importance. Something that the Bukusu people of Mulembe take pride in.

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This man Kubende Wa'Wekhomba! Unveiling Wycliffe Wangamati Trump Card in the Race For Bungoma Governor

Its 1048hrs Saturday morning when I finally get a chance to scan my social media networks. There's nothing much on WhatsApp. Trending on Tweeter is the maize scandals. Skip that. I am in no mood for such depressing stuff. Off to Facebook where this post on Bungoma Digest gets me glued on. It's a post by one Tim Machi. It had been posted 1hr ago but had a staggering 300 comments! Something juicy must be on. My heart leaps. Tim is a co admin of Bungoma Digest. A closed group he founded a couple of years ago. Why the group was formed and its vision is a story for another day. Tim`s post has disturbing news. News that's likely to be a spanner in the works for the grueling Bungoma governor race. Joseph Kubende was attacked last night!

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Vihiga Govonor Race Hots Up as Engineer Amadi's Road Works Make a Statement

One of Vihiga's best kept secrets is the ambition of one Engineer Josphat Amadi. You only need to ask the local women groups what this son of mulembe has done for them. From generous harambee donations to building churches; his philanthropy spans across Vihiga county and is devoid of ubaguzi.

As residents of  the borders of central maragoli and Lugaga-Wamuluma wards recently came to know, if Engineer gets wind of the suffering of the people, he is more than ready to chip in. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the good Engineer took it upon him to cover the nakedness of the county government of  Rev Akaranga by footing the bill for road works improving Ivindizi-Womulalu-Igakala feeder road

We understand that Boda boda guys are ecstatic. We also understand that governor Akaranga and aspirants Otichillo- MP Emuhaya and Vihiga MP Yususf Chanzu, are a worried lot. Watch this space!

One Billion Budalangi Bridge 80% Complete

Having hosted both the President and Deputy president in Busia, once a fierce critic turned ally Budalangi MP Ababu Namabwa  must be hard pressed to explain his change of heart to the electorate. Offering Jubilee a landing ground in what is considered to be Cord territory is no easy task. But if social media reports from Busia County News are to be believed, then some respite

"Construction of Sigiri bridge in Budalangi on River Nzoia is 80% complete.The construction which started in 2016 will cost the national up to one billion shillings.The bridge will open up Bunyala south which has remained undeveloped for mamy years due to lack of a link with the north.Many people have also lost their life while crossing the perilous river using boats.President Uhuru Kenyatta toured the area on 7th September 2014 to console families of nine people who perished after their boat capsized while crossing the river a week earlier."