How Kayamba Africa Group built a continental music brand over 27 years

Like legendary Congolese bands T.P. OK Jazz and Afrisa International, which built their popularity through quality music, Kayamba Africa Group has steadily emulated their model.

Over its 27-year existence, Kayamba Africa Group (KAG) has drawn lessons from the two iconic Congolese bands. Like them, the group seeks wider recognition across Kenya, Africa and beyond, with the aim of expanding its fan base and achieving similar global acclaim.

The group performs original songs that are now widely covered by emerging bands. However, unlike TP OK Jazz and Afrisa International, which disintegrated after the deaths of their leaders, KAG hopes to avoid a similar fate while continuing to thrive through licensed copyrighted works used with permission and payment.

“We perform original songs by different artistes after negotiating with them or their recording companies, with the knowledge of the Kenya Copyright Board and the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, to avoid legal tussles,” said KAG Director General Timothy Juma Odemba.

He said the group is “aiming for the moon to reach the stars”.

KAG’s ambition is to match or even surpass the standards set by the two legendary Congolese bands.

That ambition has earned the group invitations to entertain dignitaries and special guests across Africa, Europe and the United States.

“I desire to see KAG live on for many decades as a major institution, because institutions do not die, though leadership may change hands. That is my primary objective for Kayamba Africa,” said Odemba.

He said he learnt valuable lessons from the decline of T.P. OK Jazz and Afrisa International following the deaths of their leaders.

“We are keen not to follow the wrong path, having learnt from the experiences of others,” he said.

Kayamba Africa Group has four entertainment units and employs 30 people, including live band performers, dancers, singers and an acapella group.

The group performs at public and private events such as national celebrations, birthdays, funerals and special functions, but does not entertain in nightclubs.

During Independence Day celebrations across the continent, KAG has received presidential invitations to entertain dignitaries in six African countries.

These include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Botswana. The group was also invited to Sudan to preach peace through music.

“We performed well in all these countries and hope to do even better if invited again,” said the KAG boss.

KAG has also performed in Portugal, the UK, Germany, Spain, India, Hungary, China and the United States.

In 2022, the group performed at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, an experience Odemba described as memorable. He said host countries usually cater for travel and accommodation costs, while international clients pay more than local ones.

One of the songs that catapulted the group to fame was Sweet Elizabeth, originally composed and performed by Congolese kwasa kwasa star Kanda Bongo Man.

Some of the members who have made the group proud include Richard Muoa, Stanley Ouma, Simon Ngigi and Erick Bere, among others.

Among the challenges facing the band are the unexpected departure of members, the high cost of maintaining equipment and theft of musical instruments while on duty.

Odemba said humility and discipline have been key to the group’s success.

“Music is a great business and we must strive to ensure continuity in Africa, just as it is in the developed world,” said Kayamba Africa Director General Timothy Juma Odemba.