21/09/2023
DIANA CHELELE BINTI OSAMA
Diana Chemutai aka Chelele Binti Osama was the finest Kalenjin Songbird.Her sweet voice and best lines were on another level.Born at Mugango Bomet County and daughter of Kap bargesaek clan of the Kipsigis,she's known beyond all Kalenjin Counties and even widely the country.
She started venturing into music around 2005,she released her first song 'Ng'olochin boyondeng'ung' komie' .That was using the old system of guitars,the song also trended.She later did the most important step,she introduced keyboard beats to Kalenjin land for secular music which was common for 'South Africa local' secular music.She released first song 'Meus kwondo' which made her the most loved artist and known everywhere in Kalenjin and beyond.This became routine, all kalenjin secular musician upto now followed her path,keyboard beats is majorly used now.
She was married to Eric Musila who is a kamba and professionally cop.They were blessed with beautiful twins who are set to do their KCPE Exams this year.All the best to them.
She was very hardworking and her music yielded sweet fruits.She lived a classy and sassy lifestyle. She bought a parcel at Kapkwen,and built a mansion.
She was brutally murdered in January 2016 night at her residence in Kapkwen. It's unclear upto date why she was brutally murdered,her husband who was the main suspect was nearly killed by residents at Kericho town.The rowdy crowd wanted to lynch him,he was given tight security by many police officers and drove him to Bomet Police station. Along the highway, Litein,kapkatet,Kaplong, Kapkwen and Bomet,police had to use tear gas to scare off very angry residents who wanted to block the police vehicle to lynch him.He was later taken to Naivaisha and acquitted judge saying it was shoddy probe and poor evidence.
Thousands of people and fans attended her funeral in Kapkwen. It was most moody funeral,it was pre-mature death for their celebrated musician.Chelele remains a Kalenjin legend in music industry.Her popular hits are 'Meus Kwondo, Elifut Joseph,Birmat koloo,Wrong number, shilingi' and others. Her music was full of wisdom and sweet beats that will never be forgotten over ages. May her soul continue resting in peace.
