Brothers In Need
Our band Extra Golden is a musical collaboration between two Americans and three Kenyans that began four years ago in Nairobi. Our first album, Ok-Oyot System, was the result of a few friends experimenting with each others' styles. Two years after these initial sessions, we managed to secure enough funding to allow for a modest concert tour of the Midwest and Eastern United States. This also gave us an opportunity to record a follow-up record, Hera Ma Nono, which was released this past October.
While our time together has been full of struggles and complications—the death of a co-founder, visa hassles and police intimidation on two continents—it has also produced lifelong, fraternal bonds. We've always done whatever we could to help our Kenyan counterparts through difficult times. However, the current political crisis in their country has created a need that goes beyond our own humble means.
The fallout from December 27's dubious election results had plunged a previously stable, peaceful nation into chaos, with violence and insecurity terrorizing citizens from the east coast, tourist beaches of Mombasa to the serene, western shores of Lake Victoria. Though it has been almost a month since the initial events, order has yet to be restored.
Besides playing in Extra Golden, Opiyo Bilongo, Onyango Wuod Omari and Onyango Jagwasi all make their living as musicians, performing benga (a popular Kenyan style of guitar-driven dance music) five-nights-a-week in nightclubs throughout the country. The current political situation has ground Nairobi's once-vibrant nightlife to a halt, rendering our friends unemployed.
As in most places, musicians in Kenya do not inhabit the upper echelons of their country's socio-economic strata. Considering that each of our friends are responsible for large, extended families, even one week of unemployment can be devastating.
A few weeks ago, we posted an appeal on our website asking for $5 donations intended to assist the members of Extra Golden who currently reside in Nairobi, Kenya. We're happy to say that the reaction to our initial plea has been overwhelming. The collective response from friends, fellow musicians and absolute strangers has warmed our hearts, and stands as a testament to what can be accomplished through love and simple compassion.
Through it all, no one has been more grateful than our fellow bandmates and their families. We are in contact with them everyday. Because of the donations we have received, they have been able to feed their families and shepherd them from danger, as well as obtain medicine for their sick children.
Both Omari and Jagwasi had to leave their homes, which were then looted. They both had to move a second time less than one week ago, due to threats and general insecurity.
Bilongo had needed to see a doctor, but because he was out of work, that was impossible. Thanks to donations, he was able to get the medical attention he needed.
Donations have also made it possible for each of them to open bank accounts, a luxury that not only provides a measure of stability for them and their families, but also makes them more attractive as candidates for visa applications.
There is no immediate solution to the political unrest in Kenya, and we are unable to obviate our petition for assistance. Anyone interested in making a donation can visit our website, www.extragolden.com and click the "Donate Now" button at the bottom of the page.
We thank you in advance.
Peace.
Alex Minoff
Ian Eagleson
