Over four decades since recording his first song, Benga musician Dr Osito Kalle still stands out from a crowded scene of young and old Luo musicians.
Dr Osito Kale made the entire stadium up on madaraka day celebration, with the president,his deputy and former prime minister joining him to dance Uzalendo hit song, a joint composition between him and Linet Aluoch Pamba, Dolla kabary
While many artists prefer singing in praise of politicians and top celebrities, the 64-year-old says his penchant for love songs has helped him to attract and maintain a multi-generational audience from diverse backgrounds.
Bearing in mind that love is an eternal topic that continues to elicit emotive reactions throughout the ages, the father of eight says he still commands a legion of fans who still believe in his music.
“Due to the fact that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, political songs fade very fast and their relevance is pegged on the popularity of the characters in question,” he says.
Officially known as Elijah Mirasi, Dr Osito Kalle did not allow his humble beginnings to bring him down when he ventured in the music industry in 1977.
After dropping out of Church Army Secondary School in Nairobi in Form Two for lack of fees, he joined the National Youth Service where he trained in carpentry. He would later open a workshop in Ngomongo Village where he briefly worked.
In pursuit of his talent and love for music, he later joined Victoria C Band which was led by Awino Lawi where he worked for about five years before forming Victoria D band jointly with his two brothers, Moses Omondi and Paul Owino.
After a few years of working together, the trio opted to change the name of their band to Nabi Kings in 1999 where he was the vocalist and talented guitarist while his siblings played the drum and rhythm.
Despite having produced over 25 albums, he recalls that it is Asembo Piny Maber song, which he released in 1998, that catapulted him to instant fame.
Dr Osito is known for mentoring artists, some of his mentees being Omondi longlilo, Odhiambo Tusker, Ogina Koko and many more.
