Inspired by Mwangi Wa Gacau’s music, Joseph Kamaru made a breakthrough in his career in 1967 with his Celina record, since then he went on a successful recording spree that lasted about two and a half decades.

With a wide catalog to choose from, his songs were rather salacious with a touch of rich cultural heritage with a flip of political treatises.

His rapport with the then president Moi, made him a frequent entourage in the presidential convoy locally and the most famous trip to Japan.

It was in this 1980 trip that he drew influence in his record ‘Safari Ya Japan’ in praise of Moi although
it was loved and loathed in equal measures from his audience.

In mid 1990, Kamaru released “Mahoya Ma Bururi” which castigated Moi’s government marking the start of the end of their romance,

Two years later with strained relationship with the authorities, Kamaru was still lined up to perform at Madaraka day celebrations where after his performance he publicly told Moi that Kenyans were tired of his regime and criticized his de facto one party stand

This deteriorated his fragile relationship with the president but surprisingly he walked scott free contrary to the expectations of many and in 1993 a year later he shifted to gospel genre unsuccessful and made one last stand in his recording career with his 2008 hit song “No Ithui Twari Kuo”

Íthui no íthui twari kuo Na no ithui aya
Twehitiirwo ni andu othe nginya mbuuro

Tukiohomwo,
Tugithamio
Na no ithui aya

Twombaniirwo ni andu othe
Nginya ngati
Twatuitwo rukungu ni Nyakeru
Ngai akiuria mbura tukihanda

Andu aitu mutikorwo ni hinya
Kindu kioma ni uthingu wa mwiri

Na wendo wa Ngai urume wa nyambo
Hinya witu umaga kuri Ngai
Aria atongoretie matingiura

Gikuyu ni ithui twari kuo
Na no ithui aya

Kurathimwo ni Nyumba ya Mumbi
Hindi iria twanyarirwo ni andu a thí
Ni guo Ngai atwongagirira muno… ”