It is an Easter weekend like no other for music lovers in Siaya County residents after the devolved unit organised a music extravaganza.
The party which began on Saturday noon is expected to proceed through to Sunday Dawn at the Siaya KMTC grounds.
Legendary musicians from Siaya county are lined up to stage electrifying live performances.
The legends include Osito Kale (Rarieda), Aluoch Jamaranda (Bondo), Dola Kabarry (Bondo), Limpopo and Berhumba Band, amongst others.
Siaya is home to music legends such as the late Rhumba maestro Musa Juma (from Usonga) of Limpopo Band, who passed on in 2011.
Songs by Musa Juma that are lined up to entertain attendees posthumously include 'Siaya Kababa', 'Osiepe', 'Christina', 'Macellina', 'Hera Mudho', and 'Lake Victoria', among others.
Musa Juma tunes are to be performed by artists of Limpopo Bands like Vasco da Gama.
The band was regrouped by Musa Juma's younger Sister Milly Fedha, who leads it currently.
Siaya County sports and culture executive Angeline Ochieng told the Star that the main objective of the extravaganza is to market Siaya as a tourist destination.
Also, Ochieng' noted that the event is in appreciation of art as advanced by the musicians.
"The main objective of this event is to appreciate talents and market Siaya county as a tourist destination, " Ochieng said.
Siaya is famed as 'Siaya Kababa'.
Non-locals think the moniker is so because Azimio leader Raila Odinga (also referred to by his loyal supporters as 'Baba') hails from the county.
This is not so, the moniker emanated from Musa Juma's tune titled 'Siaya Kababa', which was in praise of his biological father of Usonga.
Apart from honorary events, the Siaya County government is keen to name streets after its gallant sons and daughters.
A source privy to the issue intimated to the Star that a road will be named in honour of the heroic late musician whose songs remain the throbbing heart of the Luo Rhumba industry more than a decade later.
The county assembly of Siaya is already working on a budget for the 2023/2024 Financial Year that will see an allocation given toward the street naming endeavor.
Ochieng told the Star that Musa Juma's songs are so educative and soul-soothing thus the decision to celebrate him.
Osito Kale is known for many songs but one of the most memorable tunes he ever composed was in praise of Asembo as a home of sweet mangoes.
The song was titled 'Asembo Piny Maber' (Asembo is a good place).
The song marketed Asembo at the close of the last millennium to a point that any person who ever visited Siaya wanted to be in Asembo.
Asembo, his home area, is in Rarieda Sub County, with a wide front of Lake Victoria - suitable for fishing and tourism.
According to the tourism executive, all hotels in Siaya town had by Friday recorded full bookings due to the many guests who were turning up for the entertainment event.
"The event is good for business since all hotels in town had recorded full bookings by Friday evening," she noted.
Ochieng clarified that everyone is welcome to the event as there is no selling of tickets.
"This is the first event of a kind and it is free of charge. Maybe we will want to generate revenue from such an event in the future but not this one."
Siaya governor James Orengo is expected to grace the event.
Siaya County hosts Got Ramogi Hills where it is believed the great grandfather of the Luos, Ramogi Ajwang', first settled at before Luos could multiply and migrate further south.
Unique natural resources in Siaya include Lake Kanyaboli (known for Statunga antelopes), Lake Bob, Lake Sare, Lake Victoria and the nutrient-rich Yala Swamp.
The other source of pride for the people of Siaya is Alego K'Ogello, the home to the biological father of United States 44th President Barack Obama.
Ochieng said that her office is working around the clock to boost the tourism potential of Siaya.
"Soon we will have a Lake Kanyaboli Half Marathon," Ochieng said.
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