Carnival as residents mark historic day
South Africa singer Yvonne Chakachaka entertains fans at Muliro gardens in Kakamega during Obama celebrations. PHOTO/ ISAAC WALE
What you need to know:
- South African diva Yvonne Chaka Chaka leads town in celebrations
Residents of Kakamega Town were treated to a free musical concert to celebrate “Obama Day.”
A carnival mood engulfed the town as residents began arriving at the Masinde Muliro Gardens on Tuesday from as early as 8am.
The highlight of the performance was a show by South African songstress Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
The venue of the concert, at the heart of the town, was decorated with huge blue banners congratulating Barack Obama for winning the US presidency.
By 11am, the venue was packed to capacity as popular local bands entertained the guests. They waved Kenyan and US flags.
The song Mukangala by Jacob Luseno performed by his group, Phonetix Success Band, sent the crowd wild.
Performance
The band kept the revellers on their feet with a number of their hit songs. However, it was Mukangala that the residents kept asking for over and over again.
Next on stage was the Webuye Jua Kali Band. Led by David Zakari, the band too staged a great and energetic performance with their hit song Mama Mzazi.
But it wasn’t until singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka took to the podium that the show reached its climax.
The diva is known for great energetic shows and this was not going to be any different.
The South African artiste stepped on stage to deafening cheers from the audience, and even managed to greet the crowd in their local language: “Mulembe Bosi!”
Her voice was unmistakable when she took to the stage and had the audience singing along her popular hits: I’m burning up, Mr DJ and Africa.
She stopped half-way to remind the residents of the occasion and that Kenya should very proud of producing the American president.
“Barack Obama, the son of Kenya is now the President of the US!” she roared as the crowd cheered.
The concert was sponsored by Vestergaard Company, manufacturers of mosquito net PermaNet.
Yvonne is the company’s goodwill ambassador and is spearheading an anti-malaria campaign in western Kenya.
“We were here to monitor the campaign and open a new hospital in Lurambi and thought it would be a good idea to celebrate Obama Day with Kenyan people,” Mr Mikkel Vestergaard, the CEO told the Nation.
The company distributed free nets during the concert.
