Vihiga Boys High School Steals Show with Soulful Rendition of Tabu Ley’s Classic ‘Amilo’ at Kenya Music Festival
The win sparked wild celebrations among students from the Western region, who filled the hall with chants of “Vihiga! Vihiga!” as the results were announced.
Vihiga Boys High School. Photo Courtesy of Kenya News Agency.
By Judith Waka
BUNGOMA
August 11, 2026
Vihiga Boys High School on Sunday left the audience in awe after delivering a captivating performance of Congolese music legend Tabu Ley Rochereau’s timeless rhumba classic, Amilo, during the 98th Kenya Music Festival at Kibabii University in Bungoma County.
The boys, dressed in sharp school uniform and backed by a well-rehearsed live band, brought the 1970s hit back to life with flawless vocals, tight guitar riffs and energetic stage presence that had fans singing along and dancing in the auditorium. Their rendition of the love ballad, known for its smooth melody and rich Lingala lyrics, was praised by adjudicators for its originality, vocal harmony and instrumental precision.
Their performance saw them emerge as the overall winners in the highly competitive Zilizopendwa with Live Instrumental Accompaniment category, beating dozens of other schools from across the country that had qualified for the national finals.
According to adjudicators, Vihiga Boys stood out for their ability to stay true to the original composition while adding a youthful, modern twist that made the classic appeal to a new generation. The school’s lead vocalist was lauded for his mature voice that mirrored Tabu Ley’s trademark soulful delivery, while the instrumentalists — on solo guitar, rhythm guitar, bass and drums — were commended for maintaining the authentic Congolese rhumba rhythm.
The 98th edition of the Kenya Music Festival, which is being held at Kibabii University, has attracted thousands of learners from primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities across the country. The festival, themed around nurturing talent and preserving African heritage through music, has seen a resurgence of Zilizopendwa and traditional folk songs.
Teachers and parents who accompanied the Vihiga Boys team said the win was a result of months of intense rehearsals and dedication.
“We started rehearsing this song in April. The boys love rhumba and they chose Tabu Ley because his music teaches about love, respect and culture. We are proud that their hard work has paid off,” said one of the music teachers.
The win sparked wild celebrations among students from the Western region, who filled the hall with chants of “Vihiga! Vihiga!” as the results were announced.
The school’s success also highlights the growing interest among Kenyan youth in Congolese rhumba, a genre that was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2021.
Tabu Ley Rochereau, who passed away in 2013, remains one of Africa’s most influential musicians, with a career spanning over five decades and hits such as Mokolo Nakokufa, Muzina and Amilo which continue to be popular across the continent.
Vihiga Boys will now be awarded a trophy and certificate during the closing ceremony and will represent the Lake Region in the State Concert, where top winners perform before the President.
Photo by Chris Mahandara.
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