How Uhuru song, restaurant raid led to once-popular Benga musician's downfall

Just like a ladder can take one up, it can also take one down and it is said that everything that goes up, must come down.

For Luo Benga musician Tom Mboya, popularly known as Atommy Sifa, his ascent then tumble down the ladder of music success has been a painful one.

The once bubbly man spoke to Wananchi Reporting and shared about his struggle with mental health due to financial struggles that have seen him unable to support his family.

“I have contemplated ending my life several times. What is the need of living a useless life; I cannot feed my family, I cannot pay my children’s school fees so what is the need of seeing them suffer?”a bitter Sifa said.

He continued, “I have also been suffering from migraine attacks.”

Sifa said he has had to rid himself of any pride or ego and take to social media to beg for handouts.

To understand Sifa’s story, we go back to Adiedo village, Rachuonyo constituency in Homa Bay county. 

Sifa grew up on the streets of Homa Bay town till 1995, when Princess July, a former benga artist, recruited him as part of her dancing team. 

“Naturally I am a dancer. So, I used to dance with my fellow street kids when artists were performing in Homa Bay town. That’s where Princess July noticed me and became part of her dancing team,” he narrated. 

 In 1999, he started his own band which registered relative success. His breakthrough came the same year when he released his song ‘Achieng’ painkiller’. 

For two decades, his name grew as one of the popular names in Luo benga music. 

Sifa said he composed songs praising several leaders including former US President Barrack Obama, ODM leader Raila Odinga among others. 

When Obama visited Kenya in 2006, Sifa’s song was among those played continuously in Kogelo, Siaya county. 

However, Sifa said things started to take a negative turn for him when he composed a song praising former President Uhuru Kenyatta during his campaign for his second term. 

“It was business and I had nothing against Raila Odinga and other Luo aspirants. Because the political temperature was getting hotter, I had to flee to Tanzania,” he narrated. 

He said he felt he was stagnating and had more chances of growing his career in Tanzania. 

He got another breakthrough in Tanzania after he composed a song in praise of the late President John Pombe Magufuli. 

Sifa said he got good money and came back to Kenya. 

He went on to make investments in Kendu Bay just next to his home.

 “I built a restaurant where I used to perform every evening and it was doing great. People loved it and for the months it lasted, I was a happy entrepreneur,” he said.

However, his restaurant was raided and the majority of his music equipment and other assets were stolen.

This marked another fall for Sifa, who said that this time, he fell into depression. 

“I did not go school because my parents died. No one was willing to pay my fees. Illiteracy is bad and I have suffered the consequences. I wouldn’t want my children to go through the same. I wake up every day and wonder what the value of life is. I am fighting suicidal thoughts because I do not want my children to remain as orphans,” he narrated.  

Sifa added that he resorted to seeking financial help online, however, he has been on the receiving end of trolls on social media.

“I decided to come out on social media to get help. I am tired of begging. I have debts all over around my place. I borrow food for my kids to eat,” he said.

 “Nobody knows about tomorrow; people should stop hating. I was once a super star and now I am begging,“ he added.