My friend Heidi had organised a benefit concert for a childrens organisation, Watoto wa Lwanga

 

Four of the children explained about how Watoto wa Lwanga had helped them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the kids had great fun dragging everyone out onto the dance floor

the lively acrobatics display exploded onto the stage

 

some of the children had practiced to sing Daima with Eric Wainaina

Played widely during the post-election violence,
it has become a kind of alternative national anthem or loyalty pledge:

Umoja ni fahari yetu Unity is our pride
Undugu ndio nguvu brotherhood/kinship our strength
Chuki na ukabila hate and tribalism
Hatutaki hata kamwe we don't want at all
Lazima tuungane, tuijenge nchi yetu we must unite and build our country
Pasiwe hata mmoja let there be none
Anaetenganisha; that will put us asunder

Chorus:
Naishi, Natumaini, I live, I hope
Najitolea daima Kenya, I devote myself to Kenya
Hakika ya bendera The surety of our flag
Ni uthabiti wangu is my stability
Nyeusi ya wananchi na nyekundu ni ya damu black is for the people, red for the blood
Kijani ni ya ardhi, nyeupe ya amani green for the land, white for peace
Daima mimi mkenya Forever, I am Kenyan
Mwananchi mzalendo a patriotic citizen

Kwa uchungu na mateso with pain and suffering
Kwa vilio na uzuni with tears and sadness
Tulinyakuliwa Uhuru freedom was attained for us
na mashujaa wa zamani by the heroes of old
Hawakushtushwa na risasi they were not frightened by bullets
au kufungwa gerezani or to languish in jail
Nia yao ukombizi their purpose was emancipation
Kuvunja pingu za ukoloni to break the yolk of colonialism

Chorus

CLIMAX

Wajibu wetu our responsibility
Ni Kuishi kwa upendo is to live with love
Kutoka ziwa Mpaka pwani from the lake to the ocean
Kaskazini na kusini north to south

Repeat chorus

(translation from Al Kags on Mambogani)

Eric's great band wrapped up the evening, in typical Club Afrique style