"Kisumu 100," a song by Suzanna Owiyo, was all the organizers of the Kisumu centenary celebrations needed. The song summed up the story of the city in a brief but conclusive narration. The fusion of traditional Luo beats, which are dominant in the region, with touches of modernity, capped it off well.

This song tells the history of a city that began as an arena for barter trade, or "Sumo," where communities exchanged the goods they produced for those from their neighbors. It wasn’t until the railway arrived that the traditional sounds which defined the area began to disappear, gradually giving way to modern influences.

"Ndege aidho tera Winam yeeh Aidho gari tera Wigot Mtoka aidho tera Kisumu Aidho meli tera Winam Boda boda soya Kondele"

This verse, which lists the modes of transport one can use to travel to various parts of the town, introduces the geography of Kisumu. The city sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, previously known as "Nam Lolwe" before colonialism.

Depending on your destination, your transport could be a bicycle taxi, train, matatu, boat, or airplane. The song sparked curiosity among those who had never set foot in the town.

The song made Suzanna an instant celebrity as it became central to the centenary celebrations. But who is Suzanna Owiyo? The songbird was born in the rocky highlands of Upper Nyakach, in a village known as Kasaye, in what is now Kisumu County, in 1975. At that time, it was Kisumu District.

She was born into a polygamous family of fourteen children. She grew up in Thika, Central Kenya, which exposed her to different cultures. Coming from a family with a renowned orutu player, she developed an interest in music early in life while still in school.

After completing her studies, she took up odd jobs in the city, even as the urge to become a musician kept growing. Her debut came when she joined Sally Oyugi as a backup vocalist. Later, she switched to become a singer with Bora Bora Sounds, which performed in various spots around the city.

Her big break came with "Kisumu 100," which she composed for the city’s centennial celebrations. Kisumu was founded in 1901, so the event was marked in 2001. The song gave her national fame and made her a household name. It even earned her a Kora Award in 2000.

Apart from performing at Kisumu’s centennial celebrations before an audience that included regional presidents, Suzanna also performed at the Nobel Prize ceremony in Oslo when Professor Wangari Maathai received her laureate. She also graced Nelson Mandela’s birthday celebrations in Hyde Park, London, in 2008, and has performed in several other African cities.

With her easy style and the stylish acoustic guitar she strums along to during her performances, Suzanna has also charmed award organizers. Her music has earned her a Kisima Award, Kenya’s equivalent of the Grammy.

Suzanna’s rise placed her firmly in the country’s top league of female musicians, a space once dominated by great voices such as Queen Jane, Babito, Princess Jully, and Achieng Abura. Unlike many of her peers, she carved a unique niche by blending traditional Luo instrumentation with contemporary rhythms, an art that made her music appeal to both the older rural folk and the urbane youth.

Her artistry demonstrated that women could not only sing and dance but also lead bands and excel as instrumentalists.

Though she hasn’t released many songs, some of her most popular works, apart from "Kisumu 100," include "Mama Africa," "Yamo Kudho," and "Malaika." Suzanna, who is married and has a child, is also a devoted activist and participates in numerous awareness campaigns, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Away from music, she is developing an art center in Riat to help nurture young talent. Most women who have excelled in music have been vocalists or dancers, but rarely instrumentalists. As one of the few female musicians who is also an instrumentalist, Suzanna Owiyo is truly iconic.

By The Rumba Monk

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