SOKO HURU is a collaborative Benga Music Project initiated by Ricky Nanjero, Papi OdeQ aka The BENGA CAPTAIN and John Were under the 'banner' of RICKY NA MARAFIKI. SOKO HURU is by and large a BENGA MUSIC RENAISSANCE project. SOKO HURU PROJECT is an exploration of Benga Music that seeks to bring back, to the music, the glory that it enjoyed in the 60s, 70s and 80s, by recording music that shall not only maintain the nostalgic old tunes/vibes of Benga Music, but which shall also embrace the modernity and tech-knowhow that appeals to the younger generation. 'Soko Huru' is a Swahili phrase that translates to 'free market'.

BENGA MUSIC is, arguably, Kenya's most authentic 'dance music'. Benga is not only the most successful genre of music in Kenya, but it is also the most researched. Most research findings record that the rhythm and lead/solo guitar riffs in Benga Music records are rooted in the traditional tunes of Nyatiti (8 stringed harp-like instrument) and Orutu (Single stringed lyre); these instruments are majorly played by Dholuo speaking peoples resident in the Western Kenya counties of Siaya, Kisumu, Migori and Homabay.

Ricky na Marafiki is a music collective that was founded by PATRICK NANJERO aka Ricky Nanjero who is an accomplished bass guitarist and who has played for leading musicians from within and outside of the country.
Ricky has since partnered with Papi OdeQ and John Were, both accomplished artistes and performers in their own right, for the purpose of making a Benga Music record christened SOKO HURU PROJECT.
Album release date:
1 August 2019