Musician-turned-politician Charles Njagua Kanyi, popularly known as Jaguar, has time and agin spoken out against substance abuse in the entertainment industry, revealing that he has never consumed alcohol, smoked cigarettes or used drugs.
The Kigeugeu hitmaker has on several occasions said he believes discipline is key for artistes seeking longevity in the industry. He maintains his stance, encouraging fellow musicians to make responsible choices as their careers grow.
“I have never touched alcohol, I have never smoked cigarettes or any drug,” he said, adding that performers should take advantage of the opportunities they receive.
Jaguar also cautioned artists against developing expensive habits that could harm their finances.
“When you are invited for a gig and you start asking for expensive alcohol brands, you might go broke and start using even the cheap ones,” he said.
The singer, who later ventured into politics, has often positioned himself as an advocate for positive living, particularly among younger artistes navigating the pressures of the entertainment industry.
While modern musicians like Jaguar are shaping conversations about lifestyle and professionalism, Kenya’s music history stretches much further back to pioneers who laid the foundation for the industry.
Among the earliest of these figures was Fundi Konde, widely recognised as the first East African musician to record using an electric guitar.
Konde made history in the 1940s when he recorded songs featuring the electric guitar, helping introduce a new sound to East African music at a time when recording technology was still developing in the region.
He went on to become one of the most popular performers of his time, with songs such as Tausi Ndege Wangu, Majengo Siendi Tena and Waniuwa Kipenzi gaining widespread recognition.
Decades later, his music was revived for a new generation when Kenyan band Them Mushrooms re-recorded some of his songs in the 1990s.
Despite his groundbreaking contributions, Konde spent his later years living modestly and died in 2000 at his home in Kibera.
