NAIROBI, KENYA — In a move to preserve the fast-fading history of East African music, host James Mabinda has released a gripping new special feature on the Afroway: Soul From The East podcast, dedicated entirely to the life and legacy of George Mukabi.
Commonly referred to as the "Father of Omutibo," Mukabi’s influence on the Kenyan soundscape remains a cornerstone of the industry, yet his personal journey from a self-taught guitarist to a continental superstar is a story rarely told in full—until now.
In the latest episode, Mabinda takes listeners back to the 1950s, detailing Mukabi’s humble beginnings as a gardener at the Railway Training School in Nairobi. It was here, under the shade of trees during his lunch breaks, that Mukabi perfected a unique finger-picking style on a handmade guitar—a style that would eventually give birth to the Omutibo genre.
"George Mukabi didn't just play music; he created a blueprint," Mabinda says during the broadcast. "He took the heartbeat of the Sukuti drums and the intricate plucking of the Litungu harp and translated them into six strings. It was a revolution born out of pure authenticity."
The episode dives deep into the technical genius of Mukabi, who famously used only his thumb and index finger to create a "galloping" rhythm that mimicked a full band. Mabinda explains how this "King of Kisa" captured the hearts of listeners across East and Central Africa with hits like 'Sengula Nakupenda' and 'Mtoto si Nguo,' selling hundreds of thousands of records long before the digital age.
The Soul From The East special doesn't just look at the past; it serves as a "Call to Action" for modern creators. By highlighting how Mukabi remained rooted in his Luhya culture while embracing new technology, Mabinda challenges current artists to find their own "Soul" in an era dominated by artificial sounds.
"We are telling these stories so the next generation knows whose shoulders they are standing on," Mabinda adds.
The special feature is currently trending among folk music enthusiasts and cultural historians. Fans are encouraged to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #soulfromtheeast.
The full episode is available now on all major platforms. You can follow the journey and stay updated on future releases via @afrowayonline.
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