The late Tom Mboya, was a man known and loved by many for his charismatic nature.
A debater and orator par excellence, Mboya towered above better-educated peers in and outside Parliament.
He is reported to have spearheaded the negotiations for Independence at the Lancaster House Conferences and was also instrumental in the formation of Kenya's independence party (KANU) in which he served as first Secretary-General
.
Mboya was a man who wore many hats and among them was that of music.
This was evident on the occasions he led KANU members and supporters in singing the KANU anthem.
One particular occasion was in 1968, when he led Jomo Kenyatta, and other KANU supporters in singing the anthem.
Mboya soloed the famous, "ooh KANU yajenga nchi, KANU yajenga nchi, Oh Kenyatta ajenga nchi," loosely translated as Oh KANU and Kenyatta build the nation.
The melody of the song was originally from Tanzania and was chanted in honour of the great Nyamwezi warrior Mirambo.
Mirambo was praised by his people in the song, “Ohh Chuma chabela mitwe,” meaning the great iron who cracks heads.
It was later adopted by Tanganyika National African Union(TANU) as an anthem and was also borrowed by KANU.
The melody was commonly played on the radio during Kenyatta's reign as president.
After Kenyatta's demise in 1978, the lyrics of the tune were reportedly changed to "ooh Moi builds the nation."
