Legendary Bango founder Mzee Ngala to be honoured in special event

Kenya will honour Mzee Ngala Mwenyewe, the 90-year-old maestro credited with founding the beloved Bango genre, with a special celebration.

The event, organised by the government, will be held on 27 December in Kilifi and dedicated entirely to him. 

Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary Jacobs Fikirini emphasised the importance of honouring such icons while they are still alive.

“We aim to honour him, to place a smile on his face, and to acknowledge his immense contribution to our musical heritage,” he said.

“As a community and as a nation, we must embrace the culture of celebrating our legends while they are still with us,” he added, noting, “Let us give them their flowers when they can hold them, feel them, and smell their fragrance.”

Mzee Ngala has enjoyed an extraordinary 71-year journey in music, cementing his place among the few remaining pioneers of a homegrown genre that continues to inspire generations.

The celebration will now offer Kenyans an opportunity to hear his story, appreciate his immense contribution to Kenya’s musical heritage, and learn from his remarkable journey.

Bango, which he founded in 1987, blends jazz influences with traditional coastal rhythms, creating a soulful, unmistakably Kenyan sound that has stood the test of time. 

Today, more than fifteen Bango bands trace their roots to the path he carved, a testament to his vision and enduring influence.

Despite his age, Mzee Ngala remains active on stage, saxophone in hand, performing with the passion and precision that have defined his life’s work. 

His resilience and artistry have made him a treasured cultural figure across the region.