Victor Mbuvi: I composed my biggest hit ‘Kwata Kawaya’ when I was homeless

by Wanja Waweru

Grammy Award-winning gospel musician Dr. Victor Mbufi explains how he came to write his biggest hit, Kwata Kawaya. The song, released in 2011, became popular at a time when the artist was really going through a lot of hardship.

Mbufi explained that he was living at his friend’s house when he composed the song’s lyrics in an exclusive interview with Nairobi News.

“You inspired me to write a song about a great day. A great season. A beautiful time. Put your hands up and give thanks to the Lord. The song is inspired by Psalms 118:24 and Philippians 4:4,” he said.

“It’s faith-driven. To give thanks to God even when the odds are against you. David used the harp and harp to praise God. So, since we Kambas are known to play guitar, I came up with Kwata which means holding Kawaya meaning strings like those in a guitar.”

Despite the various hardships he was going through, the veteran actor claimed he was filled with optimism that the song could encourage people to praise the Lord.

Mbofi claimed that after approaching producer RK with the song and trusting that God would intervene to change the circumstances, the latter volunteered to shelter him while they worked on a full-length album, even though the singer was in financial need.

“The Bible says God will never shame you but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some pitfalls.”

Mbufe revealed that even his father did not know that he was homeless at the time. Although he was going through a difficult time, Nishike’s hitmaker believed that God would come and turn the situation around.

When he released the album, the songs were doing well in the market and he was able to get back on his feet.

“I didn’t know the song would go this far,” he said.