Musician and former Starehe MP Charles Kanyi, popularly known as Jaguar, has shared a heartfelt memory of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, revealing that the veteran leader once described his hit track “Kigeugeu” as his favourite song a moment that profoundly shaped his music career.
Speaking during a televised interview on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Jaguar said Raila’s public endorsement of the song was a turning point that elevated him from a popular entertainer to a household name across Kenya.
Jaguar recalled meeting Raila for the first time 14 years ago, after being informed by the current Dagoretti South MP that a prominent figure wanted to meet him.
“I received a call saying someone wanted to meet me. I got into a car and was driven to the former Prime Minister’s office. When I arrived, he greeted me warmly and told me that ‘Kigeugeu’ was his favourite song,” Jaguar recounted.
The artist said he was stunned when Raila, whom he had never met before, sang the entire song word for word. Later that night, Raila mentioned “Kigeugeu” again during an interview on the Churchill Show, publicly declaring it his favourite track.
“That single moment changed my life,” Jaguar said. “From that day, my phone never stopped ringing. I was booked daily, and ‘Kigeugeu’ became a national anthem. I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”
Reflecting on Raila’s passing, Jaguar said the encounter taught him an important lesson about legacy and how leaders are remembered for the impact they make.
Released in 2011 under Ogopa Deejays, “Kigeugeu” resonated deeply with Kenyans for its candid message on political hypocrisy, corruption, and betrayal. The song’s powerful lyrics and timing cemented Jaguar’s reputation as one of Kenya’s most socially conscious musicians.
“As we celebrate Raila’s life,” Jaguar added, “we as leaders can see how we’ll be remembered when our time comes.”
