Catalogue       Group                                                 A side/B side                                                                  Year

Number

RB series

RB 01          Sifuyo Women Group                A.O. Omondi/Owino Chiego

RB 06          Voice Of Faith                           Ka Wadhi Epolo/Asewinjo Wachpiny

                  To Christ Singers

RB 08          Voice Of Faith                           Ni Imbe Pendo Lake/Pigana Vita Vya Kweli

                  To Christ Singers

RB 7-09       Oguta Bobo                               Ongala Miso/Lewnida Milar

RB 010        Voice Of Faith                           Yesu Amejaa Roho/Fikira Moja Tuu

                  To Christ Singers

RB 7-016     Oguta Bobo                              Yuago Ongoro Gunga/Alfred Wambogo                1973

RB 018        Awendo Church Choir                Ingawa Sasa Tunakufa/Hapo Kale Nilitanga

RB 019        Awendo Church Choir                Chon Ne Alal Ericho/Eloka Nam

RB 020        Waretha & His Group                Ningutonya Kuo/Hurira Rigii

RB 7-021     Ayany Jowi                               Ndweyi Suka/Olum Ochwado                              1973

RB 24          Kamagambo School Choir          Ndalomag Nowah/Ndalono Koro Chiegni

RB 29          Kamagambo School Choir          Baba Taifa Kenyatta/Tuna Mambo Na Twapenda

RB 30          Raven School Choir                   Kumbuka Sodomu/Matendo Yetu Yatapimwa

RB 32          Kamagambo School Choir          Leo Tunakuja/Dhako Nyo Wawa

RB 33          Kamagambo School Choir          Tunayo Safari/Tokeni Katika Babel

RB 49          Sagana Boys                            Rugendo Kia Njogu/Teenager Ciaminjini

RB 50          Sagana Boys                            Ngaragu Ya Mbeca/Riria Twari Manyani

RB 56          Sare School Choir                     P. Oluoch Gi Ruth/Richard Owuor

RB 57          Sare School Choir                     Omulo Melt/Oluoch Gi Ruth No.2

RB 58          Sare School Choir                     Barack Aduwo/Nyono

RB 59          Sare School Choir                     Joseph Dearest/Kiongozi Baba

RB 63          Arutu Ndere Jazz                      Keya Ojar/Masela Were

RB 64          Orutu Jazz                               Rasto Agunda/Joseph Odindo

RB 65          Mavuria Kiyo Boys                    Muthuri Utari/Kwa D.O. Obadiah

RB 69          Ofafa One Choir                        Mwathani Wakwa/Hingurai Ngoro Chianyu

RB 70          Oile Wajonya                            Ismael Nyadero/John Odhiambo

RB 7-74       Ofafa One Choir                        Thina Niwaikurukire/Andu A. Mwathani Tegai       1975

RB 75          North Kiambu Christian Choir      Mundu Ni Muhiano Wa Ngai/Ninguririra Muoyo

RB 76          North Kiambu Christian Choir      Keno Cia Sodom No.2/Aria Meguthambia Nguo

RB 77          Chomo Youth Group                   Gikeno/Nyonia Njira Mwathani

RB 78          Chomo Youth Group                   Thayu/Kihumukanio

RB 79          Kingeero Village Choir                Mutharaba Ini Wa Ngai/Riria Roho Ekuga

RB 80          North Kiambu Christian Choir      A Jesu Aciariirwo Bethlehem/Adam Wiha?

RB 81          North Kiambu Christian Choir      Rugendo Rwa Guthii Matuini/Ngumu Thaitha Andu Aitu

RB 82          North Kiambu Christian Choir      Makinya Ma Andu Athi/Magerio Ni Maki?

RB 83          Ofafa One Choir                         Tha Cia Ngai Iromuikurukira/Ndiguka Arata Akwa

RB 84          Ofafa One Choir                         Ndurume Yarehiizwo Ni Jesu/Kiheoni Muoyo

RB 7-85       St Stephens Choir                      Pokea Moyo Wangu/Bwana Anakuja                    1976

RB 86          A.I.C. Kingoti Choir                    Mwenyesi Mungu/Yesu Mwokozi

RB 87          Ofafa One Choir                         Jacob Ngombo Ya Ngai/Ino Ni Njira Nene No. 2

RB 88          Thika Salvation Army                 Yesu Ndiye Nuru/Nimekombolewa

                   School of the Blind

RB 89          Thika Salvation Army                 Seeking The Lost/Rescue The Perishing

                   School of the Blind

RB 90          St. Stephens Choir (Nairobi)       Pilato Ya Jesu/Habari Ya Pasaka?

RB 91          Nairobi Central Songsters           Mwanga Tele Mwenye E/Mwenye Dhambi Wenda Wapi?

RB 92          Nairobi Central Songsters           A: Njoo Wewe Mwenye Dhambi

                                                                  B: Mwenye Dhambi Kumjia Yesu

RB 93          Nairobi Central Songsters           Mjini Mwake Daudi/Mlio Askari?

RB 95          Thika A.I.C. Choir                      Yusuf Kauzima Pharaoh/Musa

RB 96          St. Stephens Choir (Nairobi)       Umoja Ni Silaha/Kumbukeni Ya Zamani

RB 97          St. Stephens Choir (Nairobi)       Tua Nanga/Mtakatifu

RB 98          St. Stephens Choir (Nairobi)       Enyi Wakristo/Imani Ya Danieli

RB 99          Makongoro Choir                       Babe Uliye Mbinguni/Kwa Jina La Baba

RB 100        Makongoro Choir                       Utasema Nini?/Amezaliwa Bethlehem

RB 101        Makongoro Choir                       Mwokozi Wetu Yesu/Alikufa Nisamehewe Dhambi

RB 103        St. Stephens Church Choir         Chombo/Africa

RB 104        St. Stephens Choir (Nairobi)       A: Tuwafalme (Tumeleta Tunuzetu)

                                                                  B: Malaika Wa Mbinguni Wanaiba

RB 105        St. Stephens Church Choir         Dhambi Ni Balaa/Neko Na Jesu, Nisowaki?

RB 106        St. Stephens Church Choir         A: Fitina Ni Cancer

                  (Nairobi)                                   B: Kama Bwana Angehesabu Maovu Nani Angesimama?

RB 107        St. Stephens Cathedral Choir      Nitwae Hiv/ Nilivyo/Natumwa Budu Huyo

                  (Kisumu)

RB 1001      Konge Women Group                Hon. Zablon Owigo Clang/Mr. Wanda Owuor

RBK series

RBK 001      St Stephens Church Choir          A: Huzuni Kenyatta Ametuacha

                                                                 B: Yesu Mpokee Mzee Wetu                                1978

RBK 002      St Stephens Church Choir          Kwaheri Mzee Wetu/Mzee Alivyopenda Kenya      1978

RBK 003       St. Stephens Choir (Nairobi)      Siri Ya Ushindi/Siri Ya Ushindi No.2

RBK 004       Ofafa One Choir                        Herode/Mateso Ya Kristo

RBK 005       Ofafa One Choir                        Ngai Cuthiriria/Matuku Maya

An AIT label that was around for much of the 1970s, mainly releasing records by Christian and community choirs.

RBK 001 and RBK 002 are the pair of releases that have a clear story behind them. Thanks to Musa Okoth for explaining the historic importance of these records. Here, with a minor piece of editing, is what Musa wrote:

“This is a label that was used by Darius Mbela who was the choir leader of the St Stephens Choir on Jogoo Road, Nairobi in 1978 after the death of Kenya's first president Jomo Kenyatta on August 22. The recordings dealt with the grief of Kenyatta's death. They were put together very quickly because the national broadcaster, Voice of Kenya, needed some music to rally the country and St Stephens Choir came to the rescue.”

The song titles reflect the sombre nature of the occasion:

Huzuni Kenyatta Ametuacha: Sadly, Kenyatta Has Left Us

Yesu Mpokee Mzee Wetu: Jesus Receive Our Beloved Old Man

Kwaheri Mzee Wetu: Goodbye Our Beloved Old Man

Mzee Alivyopenda Kenya: The Old Man Who Loved Kenya

I should add that in Kiswahili the word “mzee” literally translates as “old man” but carries connotations of the wisdom and knowledge that comes with age that command respect.

RB 69 turned up in an AIT catalogue from circa 1983 that Flemming Harrev sent in from Denmark, suggesting that popular sellers remained in print for years.