Gidi Gidi Maji Maji, a hip-hop duo, made headlines in the country and disrupted the music industry with one of the hit songs that has remained fashionable over years; Unbwogable. The hit became an embodiment of change and transition in Kenyan politics with aspirants using it to electrify the crowds and supporters.

The duo – Maji Maji and Gidi Gidi, are known as Julius Owino and Joseph Oyoo respectively.

They made their debut in music in June 2000 with an album, Ismarwa, which was produced by Tedd Josiah. In 2002, they produced Unbwogable, one of their biggest hit songs in the country. The song went on to rule the airwaves for over two decades owing to its significance and how it shaped campaigns.

Unbwogable was simply an epitome of change as it was adopted by Narc led by the late president, Mwai Kibaki, and Raila Odinga to end KANU’s 40-year rule.

The song ushered in new leadership as Kibaki was elected overwhelmingly, bring to an end the late President Daniel Moi’s 24 years in power.

Before separating, the duo had earlier recorded other songs, including Ting Badi Malo, with most of their lyrics narrating their lives as slum dwellers.

Their Career Journey

Joseph Oyoo (Gidi Gidi)

After Unbwogable became a force behind the 2002 political euphoria, Oyoo and Owino made their career breakthroughs.

In 2005, the duo split up and each explored different career paths. Gidi joined the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Information Technology (IT) department one year later.

In 2008, Gidi met NTV’s Sport presenter, Carol Radull, at KISS FM andshe noticed his commentary talent. She would later hook him up with a radio job as a sports commentator.

After showing his experience and passion, Radio Jambo hired him as a fulltime employee. He was assigned a morning show alongside former Harambee Stars coach, Ghost Mulee.

Gidi is now famours for the Patanisho Show which reconnects estranged lovers.

On the side, Gidi runs his record label, Trendy Media Communication Limited.

Julius Owino (Maji Maji)

The Unbwogable hit saw him win the best overall group category at the 2003 Kisima Awards.

After going his way, Maji Maji was appointed the Managing Editor at Ghetto Radio.

In 2021, he adopted Maji Maji as his legal name following a successful gazettement.

At Ghetto Radio, he oversaw transition and growth through identifying and hiring new and fresh talent as well as changing the whole programming.

One of his highlights at the station was when he stormed Senate over a stalemate on the division of revenue bill.

Speaking to journalists outside Parliament buildings, Maji Maji stated that he failed to understand why the Senate had held nine sessions without making a concrete decision.

In 2017, Maji Maji took a stab at politics but failed to capture a county assembly seat in Nairobi’s Embakasi East.

In the August 9 polls, Maji Maji was denied a chance by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to vie for the Seme Parliamentary seat.

ODM gave the incumbent MP, James Nyikal, a direct nomination.