Biography Jacob Luseno, early life, Music career and Family

[Image Source: Tamasha]

By Branice Nafula

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Jacob Luseno was born in 1936. He went to Goibei Intermediate School in Tiriki where he started singing folk Luhya songs. Jacob’s education was temporarily interfered with when his parents moved from Tiriki land to Mumbetsa Imasaba in Idakho where he joined Mwikhomo Intermediate School.

After Mwikhomo, the legend joined Pepsi Cola in Eldoret as a driver delivering the product to Uganda. The most surprising thing while at Pepsi Cola is that Luseno moved around with his hand made guitar. He moved from Pepsi Cola to Salsbury Hotel in Kericho later being transferred to Nairobi to work as a laundry machine operator. With his passion for music burning, Luseno quit his job and joined Starlight Night Club - the leading night club in Nairobi owned by Armstrong. It is here he met other music legends like Daudi Kabaka and Fadhili Williams.

He formed Nabongo Success Band and recorded his first hit song Jane Wanje. Jane was his firstborn daughter and Luseno sung this song in remembrance of his only beloved daughter Jane. Thereafter he composed other songs like Injete Muteithi, Ikwenjeri, Inzala Liani, and Useni Mwana, among other hits.

The music continues even without the maestro. Luseno's band, Phonetex performing at a Safaricom function in Bungoma in 2010 with the original lady vocalist, Getrude Mwendo (left). The legendary singer founded the famous Phonetex Band together with Gertrude Mwendo in 1965 while Isaya Mwinamo and Fadhili Williams were the original producers. The band predominantly sings in Luhya with a few Swahili songs. The band is currently run by his son, Obed Luseno and Julius Etenya who sing in traditional Ingolo style away from the usual lipala. Other styles include Mutivo and Mabeka. 

Luseno went underground for some time after leaving the Star Light Club in 1979. He rose to shine again with a band nicknamed Indumba Jazz where he recorded hits like Dinnah, Rael Nandi, Nabongo, Ikhabi Yanje among others. For the second time, Luseno sunk for 8 years from the music limelight and after a long absence, he partnered with Zamalek’s music producer and singer Samule Libayi Omusula. While with Zamalek, Luseno was like a blazing dry bush, recording his hit songs like Mukangala, Khutsi Khungo, Lenah Kumi Kumi, Ingokho ya Malore, Appointment, Narc Shihubi, Wrong Reverend, Shifwabi, among other hit sensations.

 He was joined by another regional musician by the name Omari Macho with whom they recorded his second last song, Akanire (Has Refused). His last song was Nyina Mwana - meaning a mother of children in 2004. Luseno used to perform live in BoraBora Club in Nairobi’s Kawangware Estate from 2004.

It is here that the original Phonetex Band split into two - Phonetex the “original one” and Phonetex the “rebel band”. It is said that the band broke due to misunderstanding. Today, the original Phonetex Band still exists managed by Luseno’s only standing son, Obed Luseno. It still retains Luseno’s renowned lady vocalist, Getrude Mwendo and Julius Shivachi also known as Itenya.

Since his demise, band members have produced hits like Likhutsa lia Luseno (Death of Luseno), Speed Governor and Soldier. Soldier talks of a gentleman who is healthy and very strong who moves to the city to search for employment but finally ends up in more problems in the city as a watchman. Luseno died after short illness. While on his sickbed, his only son Obed, moved him from Nairobi to his home in Mumbetsa where he passed on in the morning of 3rd January 2006. Luseno was finally laid to rest at his home in Mumbetsa on 14th January 2006. 

Luseno left behind his beloved wife, Florence Luseno and his son Obed who is married to Christine. Family, friends and clansmen always congregate at his Mumbetsa home in Idakho every January for anniversary celebrations of the legend's life.