Japanese Envoy and Wife Perform Malaika Song, Crowd Goes Wild [VIDEO]

Residents of Elgeyo Marakwet were on Saturday, February 15, treated to a stirring performance of the famous Malaika song by Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Ryoichi Horie and his wife.

The two were honoured guests at  AIC Cheptebo Rural Development Centre, where they also helped launch a mango factory.

Malaika is a Swahili song written by Tanzanian musician Adam Salim in 1945.

This song is possibly the most famous of all Swahili love songs in Tanzania, Kenya, and the entire East Africa region as well as being one of the best known of all Swahili songs in the world. 

Japanese Envoy to Kenya Ryoichi Hiroe and his wife perform malaika at AIC Cheptebo in Elgeyo Marakwet on February 15.

Prior to breaking into a lovely rendition of the love song, the Japanese envoy announced that despite the entire nation fixated on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), he would not be drawn into the heated debate.

"I have no intention to talk about the BBI because I have no intention to interfere in domestic politics," he announced.

He then made a joke and asked "no guitar here? It's ok, we will do it in acapella."

The harmonisation of the couple led to rapturous applause from members gathered at the rally.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, was full of praise for the Japanese envoy, before going on to thank the Japanese government for its concerted efforts to ensure his county gained from several joint projects.

The Japanese government provided a grant of Ksh8. 4 million for the construction of the fruit processing factory while the center put in an additional Ksh4.6 million for the completion of the project.

On his part, the Japanese envoy stated that the project illustrated the commitment of his government in supporting the agriculture sector in Kenya.

He went on to add that the factory will enable farmers to make value addition to their crops and reduce wastage during bumper harvest thus increasing farmers’ income.

Others present at the event were Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Wisley Rotich, Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono and County Commissioner Ahmed Omar among others.

They all gave Ryoichi and his wife a standing ovation once they brought the love song to a close in a rousing crescendo.

Watch the Japanese envoy to Kenya and his wife perform the love ballard below: