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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 energetic; 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 may not have been known to many even though  millions of Kenyans were entertained by his work. But to the few who knew him, Albert Mutuli Kenyatta was without a doubt the best lead/solo guitarist Kenya has ever produced. His unique guitar playing style was high on energy, producing danceable and rhythmic, intricate, fast-paced, and interlocking melodic lines reminiscent of Congolese soukous. It was this unique style that endeared him to the fans and artists alike. Any serious Luo benga or rumba artist knew that to create a masterpiece, they had to have Ali Pesa on the track, even if only for the studio session. That explains why his name is mentioned so many times in most of the Benga and rumba pieces and masterpieces of his time.

                                            Ali Pesa: Picture courtesy of BV Band International

Unbeknown to many, Albert Mutuli Kenyatta alias Ali Pesa wasn't himself from the Luo community but played mainly in Luo bands. 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 and influence of Ali Pesa that the peak of most benga bands in Kenya coincided with him being part of the bands: Think of Dola Kabarry's Orchestra Super Haki Haki in the early 2000s, Daliti Mwombe's Jamnazi Africa Band of the mid to late 2000s, Omondi Longlilo's Migwena Kings of the early 2010s, Opiyo Jarumba's Super Major International Band of the mid 2010s and John Junior's BV Band International from mid 2010s onwards. All these bands peaked when Ali Pesa was their lead guitarist and struggled to maintain the same level of fame and influence 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", "Were Wuod Ogawo", "Genga ka Wajango", "Diana nyakatito" and "Okoth Mang'ang'a" and you'll begin to see why Ali Pesa was such a rare talent.

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

Considered by many 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, Jamnazi Africa and Super Major Band. It was at the former band that he got the name "Jamsanda, Baba Tuzo". The moniker "Mbongo" (Lingala word for money) aptly shows just what a treasure he was . While at BV, Ali Pesa contributed to most if not all of John Junior's albums; 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. At the time of his passing on 6th April 2020, Ali Pesa was still a member of BV Band. He still had a lot to contribute to the growth of Kenyan rumba and benga music genres in Kenya. 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, a testament to 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 the time of his passing, the whereabouts of his immediate family, where he ails from and his final resting place. 

 

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