Renown Kisii musician Monyoncho is dead

Christopher Monyoncho. Photo/COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Monyoncho was a hit in Kisii after his debut song ‘Emeremo Yamasamba’ became popular in the 1970s.
  • He was born in 1945 in Kitutu Chache and nicknamed ‘Riyo Riebasweti’ (python skin).
  • The Kisii community believes that python skin has medicinal value and protects the wearer from evil spirits.

Veteran Kisii musician Christopher Monyoncho has died.

Monyoncho died on Thursday evening.

“Monyoncho was coming from Nairobi where he had gone for a friend's funeral when he started feeling bad.

“We took him to a hospital in Kisii where he died,” his promoter Kennedy Nyamumbo said.

Monyoncho was a hit in Kisii after his debut song ‘Emeremo Yamasamba’ became popular in the 1970s.

The song chastised hazardous working conditions in Kericho tea estates where he was an employee.

PYTHON SKIN

He leaves behind two widows, Zipporah and Jane as well as 14 children.

He composed over 1000 songs and was a member of Kegogi jazz band.

He was born in 1945 in Kitutu Chache and nicknamed ‘Riyo Riebasweti’ (python skin).

The Kisii community believes that python skin has medicinal value and protects the wearer from evil spirits.

In a past interview, he said like python skin, his music has a magical effect on his fans.