By Bob Anyula | GoodMorningKenya.co.ke<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI was just pushing with the solo guitar\u2026 and people listened.\u201d \u2013 Sukuma Bin Ongaro<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Born in 1946 in the rural village of Ebukambuli, Mulwanda (Kakamega County), Wilson Omutere Ongaro\u2014better known by his stage name Sukuma Bin Ongaro\u2014rose from a life of hardship to become one of Kenya\u2019s most influential Benga musicians. His story is one of raw talent, determination, and spiritual transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Herding Cattle to Crafting a Guitar<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ongaro\u2019s early life was steeped in struggle. After losing his father at a young age, he was raised by his mother, Jessica Kubondo, who brewed busaa\u2014a traditional alcoholic drink\u2014to support her eight children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unable to attend school, Ongaro spent his days herding cattle and helping his mother. Yet he absorbed Kiswahili and English informally through conversations with friends. His true education came from the family radio, where he discovered the sounds of David Amunga and Isaiah Mwinamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At just 13, he built his first makeshift guitar from a kitchen sieve. Though crude, the instrument drew curious neighbors\u2014marking the beginning of a lifelong musical journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Journey to Nairobi \u2014 Paid for by a Cow<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1962, Ongaro left for Nairobi, his fare paid by his mother who sold one of their cows. Homeless upon arrival, he slept at the railway station before a neighbor introduced him to his idol, David Amunga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That meeting led to the recording of his first two songs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ongaro Alikufa (a tribute to his late father)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leunidah Ang\u2019iyo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was paid Sh50\u2014a fee that came with a painful lesson: Amunga retained the song rights, and Ongaro never earned from them again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rise of a Music Giant<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite that initial setback, Ongaro\u2019s unique sound\u2014marked by his expressive solo guitar style\u2014captivated listeners. He called it \u201cpushing hard,\u201d and the name Sukuma (Swahili for push) was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, his career took off with a series of increasingly lucrative recording deals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sang\u2019alo Studios \u2013 Sh300 per track<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chandarana Records \u2013 Sh600<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi Studios \u2013 Sh1,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oluoch Kanindo \u2013 Sh2,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His influence grew rapidly across Western Kenya, making him a household name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Songs That Shaped Generations<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sukuma\u2019s songs were not just for entertainment\u2014they were social commentaries. He sang of love, labor, migration, and injustice, blending humor and truth in equal measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of his most iconic hits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ndatsia Mombasa<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wacha Waseme<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kazi ya Msumeno Imenishinda<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kila Siku Suku<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oluchendo Lwe Mwalo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amajini Keshirandu<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jirani Kuno<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaba Border<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nerea Utaolewa Lini?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His signature sound became known as the \u201cOmutibo beat\u201d, forever linked to the soul of Western Kenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fame, Fortune\u2026 and Regret<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
At his peak, Sukuma lived lavishly. He reportedly earned up to Sh150,000 per night, but often had nothing left by morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He openly admitted to having over 50 wives over the years, though only two\u2014Beatrice Ayoyi and Rose Khatenje\u2014remained with him in the long term. He fathered many children and eventually regretted how fame and excess strained his family life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gospel Awakening: Sukuma Becomes “Bin Yesu”<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Around 2010, Ongaro underwent a spiritual transformation. He became born-again and changed his name to Willy Sukuma Bin Yesu, channeling his energy into gospel music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His popular gospel releases include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ongaro Amepata Yesu<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mapasta<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sikujua Nitaokoka<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This new chapter saw him embrace humility, faith, and community service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Legacy: The Ongaro Junior Band<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Sukuma\u2019s legacy lives on through his children. His firstborn, Charles Ongaro (aka Ongaro Junior), now leads the Ongaro Junior Band. His youngest son, Lucas Amakobe, performs as a dancer in the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Floods and a Community\u2019s Gift<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
In his later years, Sukuma\u2019s home was destroyed by floods from the River Yala. But the community did not forget their hero. Former schoolmates raised Sh1.8 million to build him a new, modern house\u2014a sign of deep respect for his contribution to Kenyan culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No Royalties, No Recognition<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Despite a catalogue of over 100 songs, Sukuma revealed that he never received royalties from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK). He expressed frustration that funds were likely mismanaged\u2014a common plight among Kenya\u2019s musical pioneers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lasting Legacy of Sukuma Bin Ongaro<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Sukuma Bin Ongaro\u2019s life was one of rhythm, resilience, and reinvention. From a cattle herder to a national treasure, his music continues to echo in matatus, market stalls, and family gatherings across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the man may no longer perform as often, his Omutibo beat remains timeless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Story by: Bob Anyula
Images Courtesy of Family Archives \/ Contributors<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Bob Anyula | GoodMorningKenya.co.ke \u201cI was just pushing with the solo guitar\u2026 and people listened.\u201d \u2013 Sukuma Bin Ongaro Born in 1946 in the rural village of Ebukambuli, Mulwanda (Kakamega County), Wilson Omutere Ongaro\u2014better known by his stage name Sukuma Bin Ongaro\u2014rose from a life of hardship to become one of Kenya\u2019s most influential …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":18206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tie-life-style","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18203"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18203\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18205,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18203\/revisions\/18205"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodmorningkenya.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}