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ALI PESA MBONGO: THE UNSUNG HERO OF MODERN BENGA

 When I learned of the passing of Ali Pesa, the lead guitarist of John Junior's Beautiful Voices (BV) Band International, my reaction was that of shock and disbelief. It had been barely a month after I had met him at Downholm, Nairobi at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Frail and emaciated though he looked, he appeared happy and contented; wearing his usual dimpled smile. He had a guitar on his shoulder and was apparently going to perform at show in the area that evening. It therefore came as shock to me when I heard just a few months later that he had passed away in April, that very year (2020).

Ali Pesa was without a doubt the best lead guitarist Kenya has ever produced. Unbeknown to many, Ali Pesa wasn't himself a Luo but played mainly in Luo bands. He was a Luhya by tribe but a Luo by choice. Colloquially called "Baba Tuzo/Tuso" and "Mbongo" his presence instantly transformed bands from hitherto unknown local pub groups to nationally acclaimed super bands. Such was the talent of Ali Pesa. The peak of most benga bands in Kenya coincided with him joining the bands: Think of Dola Kabarry's Orchestra Super Haki Haki in the early 2000s, Omondi Longlilo's Migwena Kings of the early 2010s, Opiyo Jarumba's Super Major Band of the mid 2010s and John Junior's BV Band International from mid 2010s. All these bands peaked when Ali Pesa was their lead guitarist and plummeted when he left. Take Omondi Longlilo and Migwena Kings for example and listen to the lead guitar and 'seben' played by Ali pesa in tracks such as "Anita Nyausonga", "Goretty Awino" (Omondi's wife), "Were Wuod Ogawo", "Genga ka Wajango", "Diana nyakatito" and "Okoth Mang'ang'a".

Ali Pesa was without a doubt the best benga lead guitarist Kenya has ever produced. 

Considered the best benga guitarist of any generation, Ali Pesa wowed many with his playing style, producing some of the best modern benga songs of the modern era. Ali Pesa was good at rumba too which explains his stint with predominantly rumba bands such as BV Band International and Super Major Band. It was at the former band that he got the name "Jamsanda, Baba Tuzo". The moniker "Mbongo" added to his name is the Lingala word for money. While at BV, Ali Pesa contributed to John Junior's most successful albums date; Kalisto Baba (2015), Nyoremo (2020) and Dhano Otamo wang Nyasaye (2018), plus a number of singles while paying lead-cum-solo guitar. In the song titled "BV Band" John Junior pays tribute to Ali Pesa and other band members. Ali could still contribute to the growth of Kenyan rumba and benga. It's such a shame that he passed away at such a young age. When the history of Kenyan band music will be written, Ali Pesa's name will stand out in golden letters for his rare talent, easy charm and ready smile. What a man he was! May his soul rest in peace.

 

Author's Note: Not much information is available on the late Ali Pesa, his age at death, where he ails from, family and burial place. Kenyan music is largely undocumented and it's the aim of this blog to bridge this information gap. 

 

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