Opposition leader Raila Odinga's numerous presidential bids, though futile, have a brighter side, especially to musicians from his Luo Nyanza backyard.
Throughout his four bids in the past, the latest one being his unsuccessful contest against President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017, he has always brought up a new musical sensation.
In 2002 when he backed retired President Mwai Kibaki, he saw the rise of the Gidi Gidi and Maji Maji duo through their teach 'unbwogable' which loosely translates to unshakable in dholuo, Gidi would later land at Radio Jambo.
The case was similar in 2007 when Onyi Papa Jey became popular with his track dubbed 'Raila', before Otieno Small's 'Thum Wero Agwambo' (Raila's song) in 2013 and Onyi Jalamo's 'NASA Tibiim' in 2017.
Consequently, Raila's fifth candidature in the approaching 2022 polls is something Nyanza musicians are really hoping for, knowing that one of them will obviously make it to fame by composing a campaign track for him.
He has since made a name for himself as a popular and loved figure, making a breakthrough through his name a direct musical success and automatic fame.
As has been the case over time, when one succeeds, people become curious and end up digging into their other songs, bringing in more revenue and ability to release more.
Therefore, another musician, or a couple of musicians will shoot up as soon as Raila announces his fifth bid in 2022.
#hivisasaoriginal