Wakimbizi; an interesting word and indeed an interesting name for a group. Wakimbizi in Kiswahili, the National language of Kenya, simply means Runners or it can also means Runaways, so it depends in which context one uses the word.

I am not an expert in Kiswahili, but I guess Kenya’s Swahili Radio Mwalimu, Walter Mbotela, Uncle to Celebrity Broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela will in due course enlighten us on the actual ‘Word’, and how it should be applied.

The Group Wakimbizi, was formed in 1996, the decade of the coming of a new generation of Kenyan Artistes with diverse styles, such as Dancehall, Hip Hop, Ragga, African Reggae and even R & B, all  done the Kenyan way.

I kind of emphasize here the Kenyan way as most of these Artistes picked these internationally acclaimed styles and made it their own. The group Wakimbizi were no exception, they too adapted the styles and did it their way and did it good.

Morris Masheti aka Mariko, and Henry Masheti aka Mr Filter make up the Group Wakimbizi. Two dynamic young talents who can make you move whatever your taste of music.

They landed a recording deal with DJ Stone, ‘The Drug’, of Bedrock Studios, Nairobi Kenya. Under this banner they released two tracks that featured prominently ‘On Air’, and this put them on the Kenyan Musical Map.

In 2003 they got a new member, Andrew Mbogo aka Andre. Together the trio recorded an album, titled, ‘Raha’, a  Kiswahili word meaning, Leisure, the album performed very well in the Charts and enjoyed massive ‘Air Play’, and was an anthem on most DJ’s Play Lists.

Sensational Track, ‘Hallo Hallo’, from the album became Kenyans catch phrase and its power and popularity caught the eye of mobile Phones front runners, Safaricom, who used the ‘Hit’ to market their product. This was history for ‘Wakimbizi’, as in 2004 when they were signed by Safaricom for the hit, ‘Hallo Hallo’, they became the first local group to be signed on by these Mobile giants.

Things were looking good for them as it was in the same year they scooped the Kisima Award for the Best Hip Hop Group and Best Song of the Year, a beautiful double.

In 2005 one member, Andre, parted ways with the group and went solo, the following year, 2006 the group parted ways with their long time Music Production House DJ Stones Bedrock Studios as he could not cope with their pace and keep up with the terms and conditions of their contract.

Currently the group has just finished their second album at the famous Samawati Studios, Nairobi and are looking forward to marketing the ‘New Baby’. Going by their past successes I am confident that this new album will be a massive ‘Hit’.

Now you do understand why our story started with an explanation on the word ‘Wakimbizi’, the wonderful name adopted by these Talents of Music.

To their millions of fans, it’s simply, ‘Hallo Hallo’, The Beat Goes On!!!!