Her voice can simply be described as flawless and as smooth as silk. It creates an atmosphere of pure romance which is perhaps the reason she became the go-to-singer for the then established Kikuyu Benga artistes who were seeking to do collabos that would bring out this particular aspect impeccably.
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| Margaret Waitherero in a cassette cover photo alongside CDM Kiratu. |
Margaret Waitherero, the lady voice in most 1980/90s Kikuyu Benga ballads including; Jimmy (duet with Wahome wa Maingi), Muhiki wa Mikosi (with Joseph Kamaru) and Utonga ni wa Ngai (with Julius Kangethe By Law), has her vocal instrument supremely fine-tuned, controlled and yet effortless in all these compositions. It's a quality she perfected during these early collabos of her musical career.
Who is Margaret Waitherero?
Waitherero, who besides her velvet voice also came to be known for her dynamic stage performance in popular social joints across Kenya, was born in 1964 in Nairobi. She, however, claims her ancestral roots from Kangema, the home of the late Kikuyu Benga heavyweights, Joseph Kamaru and Queen Jane.
According to Kikuyu Music blog, Waitherero haboured the dream of becoming a professional musician from a very young age but her staunch Christian mother would hear none of it. Waitherero's mother opposition to her daughter's musical career path then is, nevertheless, understandable as the East African confirms.
The first generation of Kikuyu Benga musicians, the East African writes, provided exciting sideshows away from the political tensions of the period. But much as they were celebrated in the underground social places where they performed, their families shunned them. Few saw music as having any potential for economic gain.
"The social standing of musicians was, therefore, a chequered affair, praised at social gatherings and shunned in the light of day when people took to ‘serious’ work," Ketebul Music says as quoted by the East African.
That said, after coming of age, Waitherero, the musical blog adds, chose a risk-all-approach and followed the then only sure path to the industry - Joseph Kamaru.
Getting to Kamaru studio was relatively easy for Waithero thanks to her long-time friendship with Kamaru’s younger brother, Kahiga.
"When she auditioned at Kamaru’s city sounds, everyone present was left in awe of her prowess. She was quickly roped in by Wahome and together they recorded the classic, Jimmy Njiira Ndukandiga) released in 1982. It was an instant hit. The duet with Wahome made Waitherero a house hold name in the industry and soon, all the A-listers were literally queuing at her door for collabos," the blog reports.
It goes on: "In the Mid 80s, Waitherero went on to record a string of hits, mostly collaboration, and would often provide backup to leading artistes including D.K Wamaria, CDM Kiratu, John Ndichu and Musaimo.
"At this time, she had since been co-opted into Kamaru’s main touring group, Kamaru Na Njata band. It is while here that he got to perfect her trade, under the mentorship and association with other talented band members including Mukarimani, Musaimo, Julius Kang'ethe (By Law) and Queen Jane."
Collabos With Julius Kang'ethe (By Law), Subsequent Hardships
Towards the late 80s, Kamaru’s band had to contend with emerging competition from emerging younger bands like Ndichu’s Rwengo Brother and Congolese groups including Les Mangelepas. Kamaru’s would soon go through a damascaus moment and disbanded the band all together as he chose to serve God through gospel music.
Waitherero teamed up with By Law and other band members to form a new group. The group would soon find its grounding and soared high with hits like Utonga ni wa Ngai, Mumbi and Ithe wa Kiune.
The early 90s, however, saw the demise of many Kikuyu Benga bands as the then tyrannical regime of Daniel Moi reigned hard on Central Kenya musicians on their perceived alignment with the then emerging powerful opposition voices following the return of multiparty politics.
Kangethe’s band was no exception and Waitherero and her contemporaries had to survive the harsh economic situation by performing in village halls and nondescript pubs. It was hard, the blog affirms.
To make ends meet, Waitherero would often experiment with Congolese bands in between performing solo.
Mugithi Craze and Waitherero's Comeback
Meanwhile, at the upmarket Hilton Hotel, they were experimenting with English style paino or guitar only rendition of popular songs. Young artistes would do covers of internationally acclaimed singers like Celine Dion, Michael Bolton and Phil Collins.
Then came a young and talented guitarist, Kafeel Maina. He who would often drop a Kikuyu Oldie in his performance at Hilton much to the liking of the crowd.
Related: Why John Ndichu Died a Pauper Despite Crowning Kikuyu Benga Music for 10 Years
As the trade evolved, the blog documents, Kafeel formed a partnership with Waitherero and together, they performed English, Swahili and Kikuyu renditions. The duo went on to define Mugithi as known today.
Waitherero went on to recruit a new and young performer, one Mike Murimi from Queen Jane’s Quenja Les Les Band after falling out with Kafeel. Together, they formed an entertaining and largely popular duo.
As the Mugithi craze began to gain footing in the Kikuyu entertainment scene, Waitherero’s star continued to rise and shine brighter. She had by now gained a cult-like following and would perform in sold-out events at popular spots in the city.
However, as she concentrated much on the stage, her recording took a back seat and would later have to contend with emerging female competitors of the time like Wangari wa Kabera.
Wakabera not only perfected Waitherero's art, but would also eclipse it with her energetic and often leud performances where she played the lead guitarist. Other young stars like Salim Junior and Mike Rua had since joined and taken over the genre making the competition cut-throat.
Transitioning to Gospel Music
As Waitherero star in the secular space began to fade, she turned to gospel music. She went on to record a number of albums including the relatively successful, Fungua Roho Yako. Her other releases have received fair airplay in leading radio stations.
However, none has reached the height of her secular songs successes. Waitherero is now a born again Christian and ministers in various churches around the country even as her legacy in Kikuyu Benga Music remains intact.