A Cultural Hub: Sports and Arts Thrive in Kisumu
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- February 7, 2023
There’s something in Kisumu’s DNA that makes it produce the best in sports and performing arts. Could it be its rich African diet? Its geographical placement or the physical attributes of its residents? Is it its people’s vibrant, carefree, veracious nature? It’s said that we are good at expressing how ourselves, and whatever we put our minds to, we do it to our best. No holds barred. Kisumu is naturally a cultural hub!
Whether it’s nature, God-given skill, or acquired ability, Kisumu has always gifted the world the creme’ de la creme’ of sportsmen/women, and artists. This’s something that’s been happening over time. Importantly, chances are high that even today, many players and artists you know are either from Kisumu or started here. They are honing their skills before venturing into the national stage.
Kisumu: The Cultural Hub that Brings Together Talent
In decades past, this city had some very fierce and fruitful schools and inter-estates sports rivalries spanning football, hockey, basketball, and boxing. It gave birth to urban legends, inspired a generation of purebred players, and had an exuberant stature for those in sports. For example, it was a regular fixture to see Kisumu Day and Kisumu Boys schools feature in the national finals in either hockey or basketball. Kisumu Day later morphed into a national football powerhouse and still torments opponents.
This vibrant local culture made sports a staple of the city and a steady conveyor belt of talent to teams like Kisumu Simba, who won the national hockey league numerous times. The team also gave the Kenyan hockey national team many players. Football then had the mercurial Kisumu Posta, fondly known as Poi, the legendary Kisumu Hot Stars, the versatile Kisumu All Stars, and the fabled Black Stars.
On the art side, Kisumu gave the best to the world, birthing the musical journeys of legends. Ochieng Kabasele, Okatch Biggy, Musa Juma, Tony, and Jack Nyadundo on the Benga, Ohangla side of music. Suzzane Owiyo, Maji Maji, Jerry Joe, Lake Station, and Mighty King Kong are on the contemporary side, to name a few.
Fast forward, on the sports scene, talents from here still straddle the national stage like a colossus. From the Kenyan football premier league and KWPL to Division 1, two rungs lower, you will be hard stretched to find a team with no player from Kisumu in its ranks. Some don’t, but they are the exception, not the rule. Mboka runs the breadth and length of the land here.
A Fusion of Sports and Arts
Finding a team without a Kisumu-born or produced player in the national basketball league is even more challenging. How many Kisumu players are in a team’s starting five? Or how many top-tier coaches are from Kisumu? Basketball runs in the veins of this city and pumps to the heart of the national arena.
What of rugby? Don’t get me started. Let me name-drop the likes of Andrew Amonde and Kisumu Rugby.
In today’s showbiz scene, Apesi, Awiko, and Brizy Annechild represent big, showing that much famed Kisumu grit, gift, and grandness. Did I mention that Nadia Mukami launched from here too? Or that Otile Brown is from here? Remember Xpat Mkwanja? Gabino Mtu Necessary?
Ohangla has been the craze in the Kenyan music scene for a while now. Most of its artists trace their beginnings to this vibe city. They pay homage to Dala in their songs and pitch tents regularly for shows here. Where would you get a massive hit like “Chwade Gi Nyundo” if not Kisumu?
Oh, similarly, there has been a very sizzling thespian culture/scene here since the days of legends like Obat Masira. Lately, good movies have been produced here, Bangarang taking the cake as one of Kenya’s best movies in living memory.
If East Africa is the cradle of humanity, then Kisumu is therefore the cultural hub of talent.
