Kenya has only one woman-led band, KECO International, founded and led by Eva Namulanda. Over the past seven decades since the advent of recording technology, the country has seen only a marginal contribution by female musicians. This trend likely extends across East Africa and perhaps even to the musically rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Music remains a male-dominated industry, and a woman’s struggle to break through can be likened to tracing a black cat in total darkness.

While some female musicians, like the legendary “Mama Africa” Miriam Makeba, rose to international fame through their own efforts, others, like Mbilia Bel, began their careers in the shadows of prominent male artists. “Being a male-dominated field, clients and fans tend to hold a low opinion of female artists, thinking they aren’t good enough,” Eva Namulanda told Jabulani Radio.

Her journey to musical stardom has been full of challenges, some seemingly insurmountable, but none could stand in the way of her determination. From a hired backup vocalist, she has risen to become a top musician and the leader of one of the most popular bands in the country.

Born Everlyne Namulanda, Eve is often referred to as Kenya’s Mbilia Bel, a title she wears proudly as a fan of the Congolese songbird. She first tested her vocal cords in a hospital in Busia, where she was born four decades ago. However, it was in school where her musical talent truly began to blossom.

At Amukura Primary School in present-day Busia County, she participated in all school music events. Later, at Chakol Girls, a well-known girls’ school in the region, she began composing songs, a passion she continues to pursue relentlessly. Some of her compositions made it to national competitions.

After completing high school and relocating to Nairobi, Eva began working as a backup vocalist for both local and international musicians. Among them was Congolese superstar Kanda Bongo Man, whose early 1990s concert at Nyayo Stadium remains one of Kenya’s most attended musical events.

In 2012, she founded her own band, KECO International. A fashion icon and mother of three, Eva has achieved rare success with the band, recording several albums featuring hit songs.

When asked about the secret behind her band’s success, she credits a team of dedicated and talented musicians, including guitarists Victor Migisha and Albert Abuogi and drummer Muisha Mpenda, among others.

Her parents, both teachers, supported her from the beginning, a rare gesture in a society where many parents are skeptical about music careers due to the misconception that music is associated with delinquency.

Eva chose rumba as her genre of focus, influenced by her father, an avid lover of Congolese music who kept a large collection of rumba cassettes. The name “KECO,” an acronym for Kenya and Congo, reflects this blend of cultural sounds and styles.

“This is a band that bridges the physical barriers between the two countries and brings entertainment home,” says Eva, whose songs have become increasingly popular on radio, in clubs, and on social media.

She prefers performing at corporate events over club concerts, citing the higher financial rewards. Her hits Pole Pole, KECO Poa, and Rumba Chachacha are among the most requested songs in the country. This is a lesson she has picked up from her previous experiences with clubs, which she states either underpay or delay payments.

Among the challenges she identifies as stumbling blocks in the success of many bands is the fluidity of the industry, a factor she attributes to many a musician’s restlessness. She says there are situations where a band recruits and nurtures a musician, but once they are good enough, they quit for other bands.

KECO isn’t any ordinary Kenyan band. If one were to come across their typical performances, one would be excused for mistaking the outfit for one of the Wenge bands of DRC. Their music is rich instrumentally, and no doubt, a lot of work happens behind the scenes before they hit the studio. KECO has performed in dozens of venues and events throughout East Africa.

In addition to composing, arranging, and singing, Eva, who performs under the stage name Prince Pesa, is also a talented dancer, turning her concerts into vibrant showcases of artistry and showmanship. With more music in the works, she envisions soaring even higher in her musical journey.

By Jerome Ogola

Jabulani Radio

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