After weeks of rehearsals and much anticipation, 13-year old Leyla Mohamed was ready to take on the national stage and perform in front of the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta for the first time at the Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Kakamega’s Bukhungu stadium.
Breathing taking voice by one Leyla, but mtu wa sound alikanyaga wire. #Mashujaa2018 #MashujaaDay2018 pic.twitter.com/YT41onU9WD
— Ismail Mohamed Ali 🇰🇪 (@IsmailMohamedA3) October 20, 2018
The talented Leyla performed her rendition of the song ‘Wimbo wa Taifa’ in a breathtaking voice but the sound let her down leaving the young girl confused and even the President annoyed.
Despite the sound issues, she delivered the song and impressed not only the nation but the President too who clapped at the end of her performance. Leyla, who had a dream of singing before the President, not only got a chance to do so but also met him.
The song ‘wimbo wa taifa’ was originally done by Enoch Ondego, tells the story of the early years of Kenya’s independence.
Kenyans were angry at the sound technicians who ruined the moment for the young girl.
#MashujaaDay2018 Leyla should be given a second chance, I've been waiting for her to sing and then the irresponsible sound idiot messed her up, this is betrayal of a nation, sound people should be charged with high treason.
— Okindo Omandi (@OkindoOmandi) October 20, 2018
Sound systems have failed @leyla on her presentation wimbo wa taifa. #MashujaaDay2018
— igweLEVY (@IgweLEVY) October 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/PeterNMiss/status/1053574139615866880
TERRIBLE !!
Wacha mimi niskize Diamond Platinum songs ,I can't with Bukungu Stadium Sound system, Why mess Leyla Mohamed Wimbo wa Historia..
#mashujaaday2018 pic.twitter.com/exmqiP8WkQ— George Waweru (@MkulimaMdogo) October 20, 2018
You will be told the budget for the PA system was Ksh. 10 million and the DJ paid Ksh. 1 million. The DJ had only one job, to press play! Yet, the DJ still messed up Leyla Mohammed's beautiful rendition of Wimbo was Historia, after rehearsing for a week on end! #MashujaaDay2018
— Kiptoo Biwot (@kiptoobiwot) October 20, 2018
On the best song for #MashujaaDay2018 performed by leyla couldn't get enough attention simply because of poor sound system,,
— bingy Henry (@bingy_henry) October 20, 2018
All hope was not lost as Leyla got a chance to perform again at the State House Kakamega luncheon.
“The sound was bad in the stadium i did not deliver well but i got a second chance to perform for His excellency President Uhuru at State House, Kakamega. I am so grateful ?” said the young girl on her Instagram.
Leyla Mohamed, is a standard eight student at St. Teresa’s Girls Primary School and is expected to sit for her national examination this year in November.
“Back home. Thank you everyone for the prayers, support and best wishes. Ni kusoma sasa, our exams start in one week and I have to make everyone proud of me,” she said.