Top Kalenjin musician sings his last

He took the world of music by storm when he earned the highest royalties last year.

Clad in a grey suit, a beige shirt and his signature hat, Mr Samwel Kiptesot Sang from Trans Mara, Narok County wore his signature smile as Music Copyright Society of Kenya chief executive Michael Maganzo handed him a Sh463,884 cheque.

Junior Kotestes, as he was popularly known, beat heavyweights Jaguar and Nameless to the prize.

The over 50 songs he wrote  have been ruling the air waves of vernacular radio stations for a long time now.

Sadly, the talented artiste is no more. Junior Kotestes had hardly enjoyed the fruits of his labour before he died on Wednesday at Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County after suffering from pneumonia.

Many are still finding it hard to believe the curtains have fallen on the career of one of the most prolific Kalenjin musicians. To  many, death snatched Junior Kotetes too soon.

His spellbinding songs tickled music lovers as much as they warmed their hearts.

No more thrilling live performance of Kitokostaiyat and Twolyot, two of his top songs.

Spiced up by proverbs

It was just the other day that the singer blew away revellers with his captivating performance during a Kass Night at the Carnivore Restaurant. Junior Kotestes had something for everyone. He unleashed rock songs for the youth while the old easily identified with songs richly spiced up by proverbs.

When he appeared on the Churchill Live Show in 2013, the singer said he was a link between the younger and older generations.

One of his popular songs, Seroi ak Moita, which loosely translates to cow (Seroi) and its calf (Moita), is the favourite in his home in Trans Mara, Narok.

This is more than a song. It is a prophesy that eventually came to pass. Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno said the singer foresaw creation of Trans Mara Sub-County (cow) and the birth of Emurua Dikirr constituency (calf).

“It is a reality of self-governance for the people of Trans Mara. And there was also the birth of a new constituency, Emuruo Dikki,” said the MP.

Due to his unmatched popularity, Junior Kotestes was also an asset to politicians as he was a crowd puller at public rallies.

Bomet Senator Wilfred Lesan says the musician played a big role in his election. “He joined me in the campaign rallies and his music played a big role in my success. He was a legend and his music will forever live with us,” said Senator Lesan.

Mr Kipkorir Samoei described him as the ‘best songwriter of all time’. “He had this unique ability to use words that later became part of the Kalenjin lingo. He was truly talented,” said Mr Samoei who runs an online forum, ‘The Kipsigis Renaissance Network’. The network will host a concert today in Sang’s honour.

Officials from the Kalenjin Musician Association (Kamua), which Mr Kotestes chaired termed him a peace loving man who held no grudges.

Mr Makiche Rotich, another  singer said: “He had a good heart and a  very creative and was amazingly talent.”

Although he sang in Kalenjin, his songs transcended tribal barrier.  “I don’t understand Kalenjin but I would attend the Kalenjin Night just to listen to him,” a fan, Peter Kiragu, said.

 The artiste leaves behind two wives and nine children.