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John Ndicu JOHN NDICHU WAGAKUNGA - THE WONDERBOY'S ODYSSEY

Early 60's, along the banks of Kandere, a small stream cutting across Gatunyu, a young boy is oftenly heard from a distance playing his homemade instruments; a flute and an improvised drum. Villagers frequenting the water point are amused by the boy's prowess in music, back home his mother, Ngina Muriu is growing restless, she sent her son to fetch water, he's taking too long, upon checking on him she finds him in tranquility meditating with music on a rock next to the stream.

Arguably the best music composer that Kenya has ever produced started showing signs of conquering the music world at such a tender age of 12 years, according to his mother, when she gave birth to him, his umbilical cord was tied symbolically around his neck, according to Agikuyu beliefs, such a child was destined for greatness either a great ruler or a warrior but John Ndichu Muriu in this case was set to conquer Benga music sphere.

John Ndichu was born sometime around 1957 in the dawn of Independence for Colonial Kenya, he was the first born of Evans Muriu and Ngina Muriu, later in life Ndichu enjoyed the company of nine other siblings amongst them, Joseph Wamumbe.

Just for connecting the dots, John Ndichu hailed from a music oriented family, tracing his roots we learnt that his maternal grandfather was a lead musician in traditional dances; Mugoiyo and Kibata trickling down his father Evans Muriu was a famous guitarist in Gatanga in his youthful days, he started playing guitar in 1954. In one of Evans guitar playing errands, he met his lovely wife Ngina who was a good dancer to his beats, probably Ngina fell in love with how Evans struck the guitar wires to produce benga rhythms and thats how years later love blossomed and a musical king was born.

Gikūyū nake akiuga, kahīi gakūrū nota ithe, hope this saying will make sense to you; Back then in the 50's when Evans Muriu was a prolific guitarist, he started writing songs but unfortunately the White imperialists were too busy fighting Kikuyu nationalism, in the forest and banning Kikuyu music, Muriu had to put a halt to his talent until around 1966. Its when Evans Muriu decided to embark on his music journey and was licensed and contracted by Megs production studio. Its worth to note that whenever Evans attended a recording session at Megs studio, he was always flanked by young John Ndichu who enjoyed the sight of his father recording music, that never left his young mind. Evans Muriu was amongst the first generation artists but unfortunately he lost his vinly records to proof it but he still proudly owns his music licence issued in the 60s.

Ndichu attended Gatunyu Primary School and wrapped up his formal education at Equator Boys High School in Thika, as destined, Ndichu was still writing music while at school, also at that period his father decided to focus on his job as a plant operator at Aeburg Sisal in Juja consequently, he passed his tools of music to his eldest son Ndichu, that was his beloved guitar,his contract and license. Soon after completing high school education, Ndichu started his remarkable and exciting music odyssey, he began perfecting his lyrics in company of his brother Joseph Kabati, mostly as Ndichu wrote his songs, Joseph was attending school, when he would return home, Ndichu would give him a teaser of his music and Joseph would go hysterical and would oftenly say, "nyimbo icio ni cia nyūmba muno", hence Ndichu nicknamed him Wamumbe; they soon decided to record their first single, it was sometime around late 70s, mentored by Kakai Kilonzo of Kilimambogo Les Les on how to manoeuvre the studio setups and monetization of their songs.

When Ndichu and Wamumbe entered Megs recording studios they were accompanied by their father, but this time it was him to watch his sons do their thing. When they left the studio, a debut humongous song was released, Cucu Wagakunga was the title. The song became an instant hit and was played at various entertainment joints across the country! and enjoyed massive airplay at V.O.K where Gaithuma Kimumu, a veteran presenter noted the young boys' massive talent, the song almost became an anthem at V.O.K which later rebranded to KBC. The hit song earned him the nickname Wa Gakunga. In the song, he pays tribute to all grandmothers( gives them a general name Gakunga)who selflessly raises grandchildren left in their care.

Back home in Gatunyu, John Ndichu started recruiting members of his own band; earlier he played as a guitarist and vocalist at the top bands including Kamaru's. The greatly famous Rwengo Brothers Band was brewing, Ndichu started noticing talents in his village mates, Waithaka Mboche and Makibi James and high school boys Joseph Wamumbe and Kimani Thomas.

When Ndichu hit the studios again with his band troopers, it was a sure thing, a hit song was in the making and sure enough, 'Akinyi' was released which as its predecessor did so well, its from there that John Ndichu and his band went on a recording spree, releasing a hit after hit.

John Ndichu was creating ripples in the entertainment industry in Kenya, as young as he was he toppled all the top artists then including Joseph Kamaru, Daudi Kabaka,John Nzenze, D.K Wamaria, Wanganangu and Francis Rugwiti with a snap of a finger, they all watched this boy from Gatanga rise so quickly to stardom, Ndichu earned his second nickname, 'The Wonder boy'. His music was always played at KBC courtesy of Gaithuma, a function, show,funkie, boogie or generally a showbiz was never complete without a last performance by The Rwengo Brothers. Legends has it that Ndichu would just compose songs out of nowhere, and when he perfected it with his band it became a hit song, his long time producer Joe Mwangi of Mercury records a former Nation Journalist ensured he got the best out of Ndichu, you can relate to the quality music the dynamic band produced;  It was a fact, not chest thumping when they released one of their biggest song, Uthoni Wa Ndagwa, in the lines you'll not help but hear, "Thani njega kwiigirirwo ngwire no cia John Ndichu ii, Mugathi Wa Kuona Akinyi na Mary mama" That for sure was the case, John Ndichu was dominating the Kenyan airwaves. His father was his biggest fan and made sure he attended almost all his shows countrywide from Meru to Mombasa, Kiambu to Kisumu.

It was not all about music, back home in Gatanga, John Ndichu emulated her mother's love for agriculture, when he was away from hustle and noise of Nairobi, he was very busy tendering his horticultural farm. It seems whatever Ndichu touched turned to gold, he was a great farmer who made clean money from the dirty soil, he planted tomatoes, kales cabbages and a variety of groceries and couples up with livestock rearing, agriculture is an art too.

Sad to say, it was not all sky rocketing for John Ndichu,troubles started following him. On the onset of 1990, a new decade and one of the darkest for Kikuyu nation as it was facing very hard economic times thanks to the collapsing of coffee farming and detention of many of their nationalists amongst Kenneth Matiba and famous artist J.J Muoni. Moi's regime characteristically harassed Kikuyu artists who tried to Evoke nationalism amongst their people, this forced most of them to exile including Sammy Muraya who fled to the U.K and John De Mathew, Lady Wanja and Timona fled to Uganda. The music industry was just in rumbles, many shows were being cancelled by the government in fear of Kikuyu nationalism, The Rwengo brothers band was not spared,faced by low incomes at the period and the coming of cassettes which were easily pirated added more salt to injury, the legendary group split up marking the end its era. As eventful the era was, the biggest music promoter John Ndichu had at KBC, Gaithuma Kimumu passed on.

In the 90s period, many bands broke,many artists were nose diving in their careers, John Ndichu was not spared many artists were dejected and were forced to perform in small bars to make ends meet, they were riding on their big names without money. Curtains started closing for John Ndichu in September 1997 when he was hit by a sudden mysterious diseases, from the signs shown, Ndichu was struck by Stroke. For close to two months,alone, Ndichu's parents moved him from Murumba hospital to Chania hospital and later Thika level 5 where fate was sealed, the infamous doctors strike took place, due to lack of attendance from doctors, Ndichu's parents took him home as they planned in transferring him to a private hospital in Nairobi.

The next morning Sunday 28th day of December 1997 John Ndichu Wagakunga breathe his last and lay lifeless at his bed in Rwaitira village, a legend had just been lost, the Daily Nation reported he died of stroke. John Ndichu was moved to Muranga Hospital morgue, back home his family was troubled in raising burial expenses funds.

Did John Ndichu's friends abandon him at his death? That what we suppose, but still its worth to note that the country was too busy focusing on the general elections which coincided with John Ndichu's death, his artist friends were busy dishing money campaigning for their contracted politicians.

Only one friend stood with John Ndichu's family, a long time friend, their friendship blossomed, Ndichu and his wife were the best couple at his wedding, surprisingly he was not an artist, yes it was David Wakairo Murathe who at the time too was vying to be Gatanga's MP. Murathe bailed out the family and paid for all the burial expenses and John Ndichu was buried though not as a hero or an icon he was.

John Ndichu's songs are characterised by the heavy cool benga guitar and the gifted artist touched on various issues ranging from love, economic struggles, personal life experiences and money, his songs were composed in a structure out of this world that it flowed so nicely, his ability too to create sequels of his song made him unique, although he died a young man aged 40 years having not achieving his long-term goals, he accomplished way too much,HE WAS A GUY AHEAD OF HIS TIME

Though his songs are relevant till today and played everywhere, none of him family member has enjoyed the fruits, His parents are aging away and has one request to the government: to help them monitize from their sons songs,

they also call upon David Murathe to remember the old friendship their families enjoyed and requests him pay them just one visit. John Ndichu is survived by his Wife and six children five sons and a daughter.

His legacy lives on till today, doesn't it? Continue resting Well Legend John Ndichu's mother~ Ngai amuige wega haria he kiruru hatari riua❤💔