An artiste from Baringo has embarked on a mission to use music to preach peace among warring communities in the bandit-prone North Rift.
At least 20 people have been shot dead and 14 schools shut down since the beginning of this year in Baringo South and Baringo North subcounties.
Joshua Kipruto whose stage name is Msanii Jokii, said his initiative has been informed by rampant cases of insecurity which he says has also derailed development in the area.
"Even if the government rolls out forceful disarmament this may not be of much help if our people are not empowered to silence the gun and co-exist peacefully," said Kipruto who has 57 songs under his name.
He has been traversing the banditry prone region to preach peace through song and using other public forums to pass on his message of hope to families who have been devastated by banditry.
"It is sad that many families have been left without breadwinners, children left orphans and women left widows as a result of retrogressive culture of cattle rustling. Something has to be done to reverse this worrying trend," Kipruto told the Star in an interview.
According to the artiste, some politicians in the region have worsened the situation by engaging in blame game and making reckless remarks for selfish political gain, as wananchi suffer in the hands of the ruthless bandits.
His latest song is Barak Kipsengwet komi boiboiyet (In heaven there is happiness).
The song which is sung in his native Tugen language, seeks to encourage those who have been affected by banditry, that there is happiness in heaven.
"I seek to encourage our people not to lose hope but continue trusting God in prayer. Kiropochi bandits eng saet (we will defeat the bandits in prayer)," said Kipruto who is the fourth born in a family of eight.
Other songs under his name include: Cheptab Legetio, Mama, Iberur, Kasopindenyo and Hallelujah, mostly gospel music in his native Kalenjin language.
Kipruto,32, is also an official MC and comedian famed as Mzee Tarumbeta on his Facebook Fan page.
Born and raised in the arid Muchukwo village in Kerio Valley of Baringo North, the artiste has experienced banditry first hand.
"I've witnessed many people killed, among them my close relatives. It is time our people are empowered to discard retrogressive cultural practices and embrace education. This is the only lasting solution to the perennial problem. I've been championing this in my performance any time I get a chance," Kipruto said.
His father, Pastor Daniel Chelimo 'Tarumbeta', an equally talented soloist, inspired him into singing as he grew up seeing him play the piano and the trumpet, much to the admiration of worshippers at Muchukwo AIC.
But even with 57 songs, Kipruto says he still struggles in life because, like many upcoming musicians, he lacks sponsors to help him produce his music.
To date, he has at least 300 songs which are yet to be produced due to lack of finances.
In his bid to raise funds to do music and support his young family, Kipruto now works as a taxi operator in Eldoret town.
“I was not lucky to go past Form 4 due to the fees problem. And I didn’t allow this to dampen my dream, that is why I came to Eldoret and first worked as a matatu conductor before venturing into the taxi business. It is a very challenging job but the money I raise here is what I take to the studio to record my music,” Kipruto said.
From his demanding taxi business, Kipruto arranges with his boss to be allowed some two hours on Sundays to help him rush to the studio to do what he loves most-music.
“I am married with one child and I believe if I find an opportunity to do quality music by way of funding, I am certain I will emerge as a top artiste of my time. I find it hard currently juggling between fending for family and setting aside money for music production,” he said.
Many parts of the North Rift especially the Kerio Valley have not known peace for the last two years which has resulted in the death of hundreds of people.
More than 100 people including security personnel were killed last year alone, prompting the government to term six banditry-prone counties in the region among them Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu as 'disturbed and dangerous'.
It then rolled out a massive security operation to restore calm in the area coordinated by police and assisted by the military.