Peter Nguma a Kamba Benga artist who was popularly known as Kavata Nzou passed on after falling ill.
Nguma got the ‘Kavata Nzou’ name as he was born in Kavata Nzou, Makueni County in 1963 and was among the surviving artists of the famous Katitu Boys Band. Nguma was reportedly admitted to Machakos Level 5 Hospital in the ICU unit after he was diagnosed with Diabetes and Blood Pressure.
His prowess in Kamba benga music came after he joined the late Kakai Kilonzo of Kilimambogo Brothers back in the 1980s and later when he learned how to play guitar he joined Joseph Mutaiti of the then Super Kaiti Boys Band where he strummed the solo guitar and did backup vocals.
He was also a member of the Kyanganga Boys Band together with David Kasyoki where they later left in 1989 to form Katitu Boys Band. They released hits such as ‘Chokora’, ‘Cheza Na Katitu’, ‘Dr. Muia Wa Kalii’, ‘Chunga Pombe’, Njeri My Daystar’ and ‘Mbiti Wa Kinzilo’ among others. They also released one of the popular hits which are still fresh up to date called ‘Tembea Kenya’ which earned them national recognition.
Under his own band which was called ‘Kavata Nzou’ he released songs such as Wambui Mukumbu, Iveti sya Viasala, Wambui Mukumbu, and many others. While composing and performing with Katitu Boys Band, he was also a session vocalist with Kimangu Boys Band then led by the late Charles Musyoki Kikumbi ‘Kijana’ and Mukuyuni Boys Band under the leadership of John Kioko ‘Simba Mundu’ where he was the lead vocalist in the hit ‘Mbaika’ by the latter.
The late was eulogized by many as a true legend of the Kamba Benga music which borrowed heavily from rhumba. Dj Biado the self-proclaimed Benga Nation President posted on his Facebook, “Sadly Peter has rested, rest in Peace Legend”.
