Musa Munyalo, motivated by his love of music, made the decision to form the Wahenga Wenyeji band in order to develop the potential of his two children, who had expressed an interest in pursuing the same field.
He had no idea that his choice would enable him to support his family financially because the band periodically plays live music on different streets in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
On Saturday, January 15, Munyalo disclosed in a TV interview that his two children, grade four student Christopher Juma and standard eight student Esther Adoyo, both learned to play musical instruments at home.
“Chris and Esther have known these things in the house. The first time Chris was given a harp was at a festival.
“We were performing with them and there was a group that had come from abroad and they had several harmonicas. One of them who was close to Christ gave him two,” Munyalo stated.
The father of two also revealed that they travel from Nairobi’s Lucky Summer estate to the CBD in the evenings after the children come from school.
He added that he had to devise ways of ensuring that the children balance between their music performances and their studies.
“So far we just balance that time. Like now we know when they are going to play and when they are going to study,” he stated.
During the interview, Munyalo’s children shared that they have ambitions of joining other professions despite their interest in music. Adoyo revealed that she has dreams of becoming a doctor insisting that she will also pursue a career in music.
“I am a vocalist and guitarist in our band. I learned to play the guitar from my dad at home. When I finish school, I would like to become a doctor but I still won’t leave the music industry,” he stated.
On his part, Juma stated that he enjoys entertaining residents of Nairobi as they travel back to their homes adding that he has hopes of becoming a scientist in the future.
“Whatever God has given you as a gift you must start working on it. Mine is music and I started by reciting poems and playing the harmonica and here I am,” he stated.
This was echoed by his teacher who stated that he was recording exemplary performance in school despite pursuing music interests during his free time.
“In class, he is a good student who finishes his work on time as is required and also works hard to nature his talent.” Rebi Obwolo, Juma’s teacher stated.
