VETERAN PRODUCER, BABU, TAKES A BOW

February 24, 2026 - 09:03 PM

Veteran music producer Allan Kanyottu, aka Babu, is dead.

The proprietor of Studio Sawa, situated at Munyu road, died on 19th February in a Nairobi hospital, according to a post by his son Lee Kanyottu.

Babu, who was born in 1945, studied sound production at VOK in 1966 and recorded a galaxy of stars in his studios. Among the notable names are Les Wanyika, Kakai Kilonzo, Joseph Kamaru, and Ochieng Kabasele, among many others.

"He was the pillar of our family and a true legend of the Kenyan music industry. From founding Studio Sawa Sound, a pioneer record label that was a platform to many iconic voices, to mentoring generations of broadcasters and sound engineers at KIMC and VOK/KBC, and his leadership at MCSK and KAMP, Dad leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten."
Lee noted in the post.

He has been survived by his wife, Mary Wangeci, and four children.

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VETERAN PRODUCER, BABU, TAKES A BOW