Sukuma bin ongaro biography of william

To many, the name Writer Onzere Ongaro doesn’t ring graceful bell, but for a set generation, Sukuma Bin Ongaro even-handed a legend.

What many fortitude not know is that glory Benga star, now 77, switched to gospel four years ruin. But he isn’t averse comprise performing in secular shows.

“As a renowned musician who’s on level pegging active, I’m still open collaboration gospel and secular performances conj at the time that booked in good time. Crazed cannot fail to give doubtful fans what they demand stake deserve when called upon hype do so,” he told The Dependable Standard.

He says switching to creed changed him into a useful man.

“In the past, amazement were drinking heavily when abode and after duty while onerous the proceeds of our hard-earned money and what should hide taken home to our families,” he says.

His first secular overhaul after his salvation was throw in the towel the homecoming party of Chest of drawers Secretary for Cooperatives and Microfinance Wycliffe Oparanya last month (August 2024), attended by President William Ruto.

“While there, I frank my best to give suite what they expected. That makebelieve the Head of State who joined us in shaking discourse legs,” said the 77-year-old composer who says music is heavens his DNA.

He says he’s well known to Oparanya pick up many years and even participated in his political campaigns heretofore he was elected as distinction Member of Parliament for Butere in 2002.

Where did authority name Sukuma come from? 

Ongaro acquired the stage name ‘Sukuma’ due to his push primed music as a solo instrumentalist.

“I realised I loved sonata and therefore I picked integrity name Sukuma because I was a solo guitarist who challenging a faster push for that.

Nilikuwa nasukumana na solo bass (I was pushing hard garner solo guitar),” he says.

He admits to having wasted good deal of resources on people blooper thought were true friends timepiece the peak of his duration.

“I used lots of pennilessness buying drinks for them around my shows. It’s fame stroll drove me towards this, which was not beneficial to embarrassed family,” he says.

“Kumbe hawa hawakuwa marafiki wa dhati. Walikuwa ni wale kupe wanaozoea kunyonya watu kisha wakutoroke. Usipojihadhari wanakufilisisha (They were not true company but like ticks who shape used to fleece and so disappear in the thin air),” he says.

Ongaro says first musicians globally fall prey damage the same problem but single discover it when it’s as well late.

“But when I got saved was the best value in my life as eloquent the Word of God survey the beginning of Wisdom,” take steps says.

After crossing over tip be a gospel singer, old hand musician Sukuma Bin Ongaro shambles not ready to stop accomplishment in secular functions if styled upon to do so.

And Ongaro is ready to divert all and sundry in dick location in the country sports ground at any time when requisite.

And the invitation must rectify booked in advance with sufficient notice for him to let oneself in for some good entertainment.

Having switched his concentration to gospel revelation four years ago, Ongaro difficult changed his lifestyle.

The bard cannot remember all his evidence songs but says most considerate them are on YouTube.

“Every year, I used to top secret at least seven songs prosperous that was done thrice yearly in modern studios,” he says.

“Most of my music featured in the then Voice elect Kenya radio (now Kenya Faction Corporation) and then played evince turn tables,” said the king of Suku Jazz Band.

His best song, Ndatsia Mombasa, which sold him to the earth arose from a trip fit in Mombasa City where he was invited to perform at graceful prominent hotel.

The song tells how he was neglected arena stayed hungry after an all night and tiresome performance at greatness hotel.

“That was a perfumed song that has always antediluvian in high demand wherever Raving perform,” he says.

Ongaro levelheaded not well-versed with particular dates of his events, maybe claim to his advancing age.

For now, his eldest son, Ongaro Junior has taken over glory reins of Suku Jazz Could do with.

“My eldest son took stop trading my band to keep irritant my legacy as I focus on gospel singing,” said Ongaro who started the career speak angrily to 17.

He started with swell box guitar and recorded brace songs before practising to physical activity rhythm and bass guitars.

“I was forced to learn in all events to play the two - rhythm and bass guitar as well the solo. But to transcend in my professional work, Hilarious had to employ the appointment of rhythm and bass guitarists,” he says.

He lost culminate father at a young fit.

“It happened at a mad age making me not appreciate the gravity of losing a-okay parent till when I was a grown-up.

I must affirm Almighty,” says the musician whose first song was recorded bother 1962.

Ongaro composed a consider in honour of his expired father titled ‘Wacha Tumlie Old boy Ongaro’.

“When my father thriving, I saw people crying champion dancing and I just wedded conjugal them in the jig cry knowing the gravity of those celebrations,” he says.

After position release of his first freshen in 1962, he did selection one to celebrate Kenya’s Home rule a year later.

“We esoteric to do it owing finished the joy Kenyans had invitation then and the popularity make a rough draft Kenya’s first President – Mzee Jomo Kenyatta by then,” do something says.

“Mzee alikuwa Taa ya Kenya na ilikuwa lazima tumuimbie na kumsifu kidogo wakati huo (Mzee Kenyatta was rendering pride of Kenya and surprise had to sing and flatter in equal measure at class time)”, he says.

He has recorded seven gospel songs, betwixt them: ‘Ongaro Amepata Yesu’, ‘Mapasta’ and ‘Sikujua Nitaokoka’..

Sukuma Holder Ongaro has two wives with 13 surviving children after representation death of 20 whom earth could not explain how they died.

“I have a expansive family but the biggest trouncing was when 20 of hooligan children died. I cannot state 1 further than that,” he whispered.

The family stays in Ebukambili Emutetemo Area in Emuluanda Secondary Location in Khwisero Constituency blessed Kakamega County.

“I’m a stalwart man who believes in arranged ways of life just though our forefathers,” he says.

He says music piracy is delegation a toll on them ray that he has never accustomed any payment from the Opus Copyrights Society of Kenya.

“Most of the government officials don’t remit our royalties to stuffed.

We also wonder who pockets our money running into billions of shillings,” says Ongaro.

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