Maima, also popularly known as Kitungo Raha, is a talented musician whose captivating vocals and lyrical content have propelled him to be among the most bankable Kamba benga artists. The singer has posted numerous songs on YouTube with most having between hundreds of thousands of views to millions of views.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Real Name
The musician’s real name is Alphonse Kioko.
Age
He was born in the early 90s and hails from the Kithungo area in Makueni county.
Music
The benga singer previously worked with Ken wa Maria in the latter’s Yatta Orchestra. He was his guitarist and vocalist. They amicably parted ways and he started his own band.
His songs have been aired both on Kamba TV and radio stations with Ka Main Switch, Wia Wakwa and Tuendee Onesa receiving a lot of attention.
Having released his first album about a decade ago, he currently has more than ten albums to his name. They include:
- Ka Main Switch
- Nina Kyathi
- Samai Ngiti
- Wi Wakwa
The talented vocalist has his ensemble music group called Kithungo Boys band. They have performed in different entertainment spots across the country.
Many regard his performance on stage as epic. He has been numerously referred to as the Michael Jackson of Kamba music.
They say he executes his dance moves very well and sings with astonishingly good vocals. The younger generation also appreciates his swag and the high quality music videos. His guitar strumming skills are also considered unrivaled by many Kamba music enthusiasts.
The musician has also done a number of collaborations with other popular artists. In 2020, he featured in King Kaka’s song Mbesa. The diversity of the song impressed many fans as it was a combination of rap and benga as well as Swahili and Kamba languages. The song was among the trending YouTube videos in Kenya.
The artist also featured in the song Muthoniwa by Samodoh. The song, released in August 2021, also featured former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka.
During an appearance on a Kamba television station named Mutongoi TV, he credited God for his success in music.
Controversy
He was among the Kamba musicians who were faulted for the high number of teenage pregnancies by former Kenya Kenya Film Classification Board CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua in Machakos county. He mentioned Maima among those promoting wayward behavior through their songs.
“Machakos County topped for vulgarity. Even the bands had sexualised stage names such as Katombi, Maima, Vuusya Ungu and such other profanity. The Kamba vernacular music normalised teenage sex, rape and objectification of women,” he added.
The former CEO went on to state:
“The news about 4000 girls getting pregnant in Machakos County is shocking but not surprising. In 2017, a survey by KFCB on the effects of vulgar vernacular music on the youth captured this reality….”.
Songs
- Date ya Mary
- Mtindo wa Mama
- Pole Kyunuve
- Ona Tiundu
- Kinego Kyakwa
- Matuaa Vo
- Nitukite Mombasa
- Isaa ya Mrasta
- Celestine Niwathukisye
- Mombasa Kwi Wia Wakwa
- Wia Wakwa
- Kyaa wi Mutongoi
- Maina Aa Nimeva?
- Pole Mwende
- Mboya Syakwa
- Jennifer Wakitenge
- Ni Mwaka Mweu
- Salamu Mashabiki
- Faith Ninguka
- Maimu ma Ngoma
- Wia wa Dance
- Nzyaitwe Thinani
- Niende Kuthaiwa
- Mbaa Nzege
- Mbithe Ningwiyiete
- Ni Kinene Yu
- Ninguvanga Kinze Athusi
- Mwaka Muthelu
