Ochieng’ Nelly: The Passing of A Legend

We at Ketebul Music, on behalf of the Kenyan music fraternity and all lovers of benga music regret to announce the sudden passing of veteran musician Ochieng’ Nelly Orwa.

Ochieng' Nelly's career span over 5 decades

Ochieng’ died on Wednesday 30th April at Kenyatta National Hospital where he had been rushed by family and friends.

Ochieng’ was one of the two surviving members of the original Ogara Boys Band of the 60s which was led by John Ogara Kaisa. This trio, which also included Akech Oyosi Jabuya, are credited as being the pioneers of the old school benga sound.

Ochieng' Nelly (center) during a recording session at Ketebul Music Studios with his band mate from the Ogara Boys Band: Akech Oyosi (far right) and his late wife Rosemary Andego (far left). Photo: No Nation

His passing is especially regrettable coming at this time when we were in the middle of preparations for the upcoming Smithsonian Folklife Festival to be held in Washington DC in June, where Ochieng’ was scheduled to perform.

Ochieng’ Nelly was not just a veteran but an important influence to the younger crop of musicians who wanted to master the art of playing benga music. Shiphton Winyo, Akuku Danger and Eddie Grey are some of the younger generation of musicians who have benefited from Ochieng’s influence and mentor ship.

Ochieng' Nelly sharing a few benga guitar tips with Winyo. Photo: Steve 64

Ochieng' Nelly and his young protege Jared Akuku Danger during a recent performance. Photo: Quaint Photography

Ochieng' Nelly & Eddie Grey at a performance. Photo: Quaint Photography

One of his recent projects was a collaboration with the rap duo of MC Matre from the US and Paleface from Finland on a studio recording which they were set to release. The joke at the studio was that he should start donning bling bling and practicing walking with a rapper’s swagger. We obviously didn’t know he wouldn’t live to see the project come to fruition.

After a chequered musical career that span five decades, Ochieng’ was making a successful comeback to the live music scene and festival circuit. He had secured 14 confirmed bookings to tour Germany, Holland, Belgium and France in 2015, a tour that now has to be cancelled. The French tour follows a series of recordings he did with Radio France International last year. Ochieng’ had also been booked to perform at the closing of the DOADOA music market which will be taking place in Jinja Uganda in May 2014.

He was also keen on re-recording and introducing to the younger generation popular old music from the 1950s by such greats like Olima Anditi and Lango Obiero.

Ochieng' Nelly during a Singing Wells Recording @ Ketebul Music Studios. Photo: Singing Wells

The passing of Ochieng’ Nelly should remind us of the importance of researching and documenting Kenya’s rich and diverse cultural history in order to assist the youth in developing a sound that truly reflects and captures Kenya’s identity.

Our condolences go to the members of his family.

Photo: Quaint Photography