13- year-old Leyla Mohammed has given new life to a Kenyan classic.
A student at St. Teresa’s Girls Primary School, Leyla is set to sit for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in November 2018. First spotted by Sammy Dee, who later recommended her to Dj Pinye, the young talent spends a great deal of her time at the Permanent Presidential Music Commission perfecting her talent according to a local blog.
The oh so patriotic track “Wimbo huu ni wimbowa Historia” written by Enock Ondego in the 1970s detailed the trials of the black majority in the fight for independence from the British. Often sung by students, the song is particularly known for its emotive tone in expressing the tales of the Kapenguria Six; more so Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
The song was the theme song for Kenyatta Day national annual celebrations on 20th October; until it was renamed to Mashujaa Day. Leyla’s rendition brings forth new life to the song that was hailed for bringing together Kenyans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TtzoY4CMj0