Wainaina first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, a gospel a cappella group. Five Alive consisted of Victor Seii, Bob Kioko, Chris Kamau, and David Mageria, who was replaced by Joe Kiragu. They drew their musical influence from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Take 6. Dominating Kenya's airwaves in 1995, Five Alive released their debut album ‘Five Alive’ in 1996, and even went on to tour Europe the same year. His experience with the group convinced Wainaina to pursue a professional career in music. In 1996 he performed and appeared in the video for Get in the Driver’s Seat, a song commissioned by the United Nations Drug Control Programme for a highly successful anti-drug campaign spanning 20 countries. This not only set the stage for his eventual emergence as a solo artist, but also got him into the social concern and activism that characterizes much of his music
When the group disbanded in 1997, Wainaina went on to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston—USA, from which he graduated with a degree in Music, majoring in Songwriting and Record Engineering. He graduated with honours.
During his years at Berklee, Wainaina and his band traveled to different parts of the country to perform, as well as holding regular shows in Boston. Together with his producer, Christian Kaufmann, he worked to produce a sound that would be distinctively Kenyan both in the music and the content of the lyrics. In order to do this, he made sure that he released a new track every time he returned home for vacation, This was well received by his growing fanbase, with his performance at Kenya's 'Beats of the Season’ concert in December 2000 being watched live by 15,000 fans and broadcast nationally.
His notable releases include 'Kenya Only', a song that instantly made him Kenya's favourite modern musician. After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives, 'Kenya Only' was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide. His adaptation of a Kikuyu folk tune 'Ritwa Riaku' was added to the playlist of every radio station in the nation soon after.
Wainaina returned to the top of Kenya's musical agenda after he released 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo' (‘Land of Small Things’ in Kiswahili)[refers to small bribes that once were required to get the most ordinary things done] in 2001, a song that launched his crusade against rampant corruption in the country. With the chart success of 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo', Wainaina received international accolades. Transparency International (Kenya) supported him as an artist who would help educate people on the negativity of corruption, appointing him an ambassador. He was also appointed Ambassador for the NGO MS Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission and by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for his commitment to fighting the abuses to justice through music. This anthem against corruption (Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo) was not so highly appreciated in all quarters, however, with the government of the day putting up resistance to it by refusing to air it on the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. In one instance several attempts were made to keep him from performing at a national event, the Kenya Music Festival, including intimidation and attempts to switch off his microphone.
Following the suspicious death of Father Anthony Kaiser in 2003 , Wainaina was commissioned by the Mill Hill Fathers to write a song about this. This became Ukweli, a call for justice despite efforts that were being made to cover up the true nature of Father Kaiser’s death, which was reported as suicide despite strong evidence to the contrary.
In 2001, Africa Almanac.com listed him amongst the top 100 Africans of the year 2000, which included high profile names such as Nelson Mandela, Joseph Kabila, Yash Pal Ghai, Baaba Maal and Ousmane Sembène. His first record, Sawa Sawa, released in 2001, remains one of the highest-selling solo albums in the country.
Wainaina returned home from Berklee in August 2002 after his graduation with two degrees. He was also honored with the Jack Maher award for his exceptional performance as a songwriter. The annual award is given to students who have been recognized for their potential to become leaders in the international music industry.
Wainaina's music receives international appeal. He received the MNET (South Africa) award for favourite male vocalist in February 2001, and was one of the first Kenyans to receive an award for Best East African Artist at the pan-African 7th Annual KORA All Africa Music Awards on 2nd November 2002. He is also the only Kenyan artist to have performed live at the KORA ceremony. He was nominated for another KORA Award in 2003, and in 2005 he received his third Kora nomination, this time for the prestigious Artist of the Decade award.
In 2002, he played at the launch of the International Criminal Court at the UN Headquarters in New York, presided over by Kofi Annan. He has toured in Switzerland for 4 consecutive years and has performed at Holland’s Festival Mundial (2003) as well as Harare International Festival of the Arts(HIFA) (2003), receiving outstanding reviews for both performances. He also performed at the 2004 Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, a celebration of East African Music.
In December 2004 Wainaina premiered a 21- song musical theatre piece, “Lwanda, Man of Stone”, based on a local folk story. One of the first of its kind in Kenya, the show ran for a hugely successful theatre season, and a concert version of the same show continues to be performed at major cultural events. A contemporary adaptation of this musical, 'Lwanda-A Ghetto Story" had a very successful run at the GoDown Arts Centre, Nairobi, in December 2006. Plans are underway to find a permanent home for 'Lwanda' in Nairobi.
Together with Mumbi Kaigwa and Andrea Kalima, Eric co-wrote and arranged the music for Kigezi Ndoto, a Kenyan play written and directed by Kaigwa, which went on tour in Europe under the auspices of the World Theatre Music Festival- 2006. He has also written the music for Owen & Mzee, an upcoming documentary about the touching story of an unusual friendship between a tortoise and a baby hippo at the Kenyan coast. This documentary is based on a best-selling children’s book by the same name.
Wainaina was involved in the 2006 launch of Kenya’s National Civic Education Program (NCEP II), Uraia, which aims at fostering a mature political culture in Kenya: a culture in which citizens are able to exercise their rights and responsibilities—and to participate effectively in the broadening of democracy. Wainaina also performed at the inaugural Nairobi-hosted North Sea Jazz Festival in February 2006, and at the Holland-based version of the same in July 2006.
December 2006 saw the release of "Twende, Twende", his second solo album. At the 2007 Kisima Music Awards Wainaina won three categories: Afro-fusion, best song and best video from Kenya [1]. He was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper in August 2007
Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
huo msemo tunautafsiri kinyume ee
hata shule kuingiza mtoto
lazima utoe mchoto
kupata simu ni balaa
Road license bei nafuu 'tanunua
kupoteza ID ni mashaka, twarudisha jamhuri yetu nyuma
Nchi ya kitu kidogo, ni nchi ya watu wadogo
Hata nyumbani ukipatwa na majambazi, kupigana naye wasema sisis hatuna gari
lete elfu tano ya petroli, saidia utumishi
Mahakamani hela ndio haki
kwa elfu chache mshtakiwa ndiye mshtaki,
utajiri huwa ushahidi
twarudisha jamhuri yetu nyuma
nchi ya kitu kidogo
ni nchi ya watu wadogo
ukitaka soda ewe inspekta, burudika na Fanta
nchi ya kitu kidogo
ni nchi ya watu wadogo
ukitaka chai ewe mama, nunua ketepa
(aha)
Huko Kenyatta madawa zimeisha
masheet zauzwa marikiti mia kwa mia
wafanyikazi waenda miezi bila pesa
ni bahati ukitibiwa
mzigo wetu unazidi kuwa mzito
watoto wanne na mshahara wa elfu mbili
mia tano ya vitabu viatu na vyakula, nauliza na Mbotela vje huu ni uungwana'
nchi ya kitu kidogo
ni nchi ya watu wadogo
ukitaka chai ewe ndugu nenda limuru
nchi ya kitu kidogo
ni nchi ya watu wadogo
ukitaka chai ewe mama, nunua Ketepa(nunua Ketepa)
The song "Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo" by Eric Wainaina is a socio-political commentary on the state of Kenya. The opening lyrics, "Mzee alisema hakuna cha bure, huo msemo tunautafsiri kinyume ee" translates to "The elder said there is nothing for free, we interpret that saying the opposite." This sets the tone for the rest of the song which critiques the corruption and inequality present in Kenya. The lines "Nchi ya kitu kidogo, ni nchi ya watu wadogo" translate to "A country of small things, is a country of small people" and highlights the idea that Kenya, despite its potential for greatness, is held back by the greed and selfishness of those in power.
The song touches on various topics such as the education system that requires parents to pay to enroll their children in school, the high cost of acquiring a phone or a road license, the corrupt legal system, and the struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans to make ends meet. The chorus, "Nchi ya kitu kidogo, ni nchi ya watu wadogo, ukitaka chai ewe ndugu, nenda Limuru" translates to "A country of small things, is a country of small people, if you want tea, brother, go to Limuru." This line suggests that even something as basic as tea requires effort and searching for the best deals to afford.
The song is a powerful commentary on the state of Kenya and the struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans. It is an anthem that calls for change and highlights the need for a fair and just society. The song has become an important piece of Kenyan music that is both thought-provoking and inspiring.
Line by Line Meaning
Mzee alisema hakuna cha bure
The saying 'nothing comes for free,' is often interpreted oppositely.
huo msemo tunautafsiri kinyume ee
People often misunderstand the meaning of that saying.
hata shule kuingiza mtoto
Even to enroll a child in school, you must pay.
lazima utoe mchoto
You must pay some fees.
kupata simu ni balaa
It's tough to afford a mobile phone.
Road license bei nafuu 'tanunua
If the road license has a low price, you're advised to buy it.
kupoteza ID ni mashaka, twarudisha jamhuri yetu nyuma
Losing your ID is a concern because it sends our country backward.
Nchi ya kitu kidogo, ni nchi ya watu wadogo
A nation that has very little is a country of little people.
ukitaka chai ewe ndugu, nenda Limuru(nenda Limuru)
If you want tea, brother, go to Limuru.
Hata nyumbani ukipatwa na majambazi, kupigana naye wasema sisis hatuna gari
When you get attacked by thieves at home, fighting them seems useless, as we lack a vehicle.
lete elfu tano ya petroli, saidia utumishi
Bring five thousand for the petrol, help with the service.
Mahakamani hela ndio haki
Money is justice in court.
kwa elfu chache mshtakiwa ndiye mshtaki,
With a few thousand, the accused becomes the prosecutor.
utajiri huwa ushahidi
Wealth is often mistaken for proof.
nchi ya kitu kidogo
A nation that has very little.
ni nchi ya watu wadogo
A country of little people.
ukitaka soda ewe inspekta, burudika na Fanta
If you want soda, inspector, enjoy Fanta.
ukitaka chai ewe mama, nunua ketepa
If you want tea, mama, buy Ketepa.
(aha)
Huko Kenyatta madawa zimeisha
At Kenyatta, medicine has run out.
masheet zauzwa marikiti mia kwa mia
Mosquito nets are sold at the market for a hundred percent profit.
wafanyikazi waenda miezi bila pesa
Workers go for months without pay.
ni bahati ukitibiwa
It's lucky if you get treated.
mzigo wetu unazidi kuwa mzito
Our burden is increasing.
watoto wanne na mshahara wa elfu mbili
Four children and a two thousand shilling salary.
mia tano ya vitabu viatu na vyakula, nauliza na Mbotela vje huu ni uungwana'
Five hundred for books, shoes, and food, and I ask Mbotela, how is this nobility?
nunua Ketepa(nunua Ketepa)
Buy Ketepa (buy Ketepa).
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bernicerogo9190
This song was a prediction of the current times in Kenya 2023..Tax everywhere.
Erick Wainaina is a legend ❤
@teddy1731
A message to the future generations. Don't let this song and message die.
@tabzkimani3561
Yes please
@teammursiktv7361
Who is here in 2019?
@kihunipunk
It's so sad how, after all these years, nothing's really changed.
On a lighter note, man, this song still rocks!
@Erisol3d
At the current rate, things will never change.
@Maryawamboi-zb4wh
2023 and still listening ,likes if you listening to it🥳
@emandinka1003
So sad that we are still here after all these years 😭😭😭😭
@classic5421
The cannot ignore this legends 🤠
They will talk about you when you are gone.
I Will appreciate you now. Long live Eric
@manallove1
who is stil watchn this in 2016 and will still watch it in 2030 🙌if God keeps Us alive