Kimangu refers to the highly influential Kenyan Benga artist Charles Musyoki Kikumbi, also known as "Kijana" (The Young One), and his renowned musical group, the Kimangu Boys Band. Kikumbi is widely regarded as one of the greatest Kamba Benga legends, whose prolific work in the post-1990s era cemented his status in Kenyan music history. He was celebrated for his brilliant composing, arranging, and songwriting skills, possessing an incredible ear for memorable tunes, rhythms, and hooks that ensured his tracks—some dating back 20 to 30 years—remain popular and sound fresh to this day. His music, delivered in the Kamba language, dominated the Kamba music scene and garnered him a strong following throughout the region.
Although Charles Musyoki Kikumbi was the foundational talent and lead guitarist of the Kimangu Boys Band, he typically did not perform the lead vocals for his songs. Instead, he relied on his younger brother, Kyalo Junior, whose unique and beautiful voice became an iconic feature of the band's sound. The synergy between Kijana's colossal talent as a composer and Kyalo Junior's vocal delivery created a complete package that was immensely successful. The band produced a large discography, including albums like Kimangu Volume 1 and Kimangu Raw Works (1987-1990), with their music being a key representation of the Akamba adaptation of the Benga genre. Charles Musyoki Kikumbi's legacy is immense, with his influence extending to successive generations of Kamba Benga musicians.