[Musicians perform on Thursday night at Nyamira to honour of Bernard Onsongo. Thousands of people turned up to eulogize him. Photo/Abuga Makori]
A rare traffic jam was witnessed along Kisii – Nyamira Highway on Thursday evening as thousands of music enthusiasts thronged in Kisii town and its environs to pay last respect to Bernard Onsongo.
Popularly known as Osongo Omosongo, the renowned Benga musician came to public limelight as vocalist in popular band, Banasungusia.
Onsongo, 41, succumbed to his illness at Nairobi’s St Francis after many years of struggle a fortnight ago and will be laid to rest on Friday at Nyamira.
News about his death shocked the entire Gusii land with Nyamira governor John Nyagarama terming it ‘setback’ to entertainment industry.
“I have watched him entertain and this is really traumatizing. I wish his family God’s mercy,” he said in his eulogy.
Royal Media broadcaster Charles Onsakia said:” It is unbelievable but nonetheless, it is inevitable in life.”
The last time such a magnitude of crowd turned up to show respect to fallen celebrity was in 1996 when another local musician John Arisa died.
Politicians from entire Gusii land and across the country have already made their entry to Nyamira where contemporary politics in likely to dominate.