A 79-year-old granny just reminded Kenya that age truly is nothing but a number.
Kogo Basilisa, whose full name is Basilisa Singoei, became the unlikely highlight of this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations after her electrifying traditional dance performance left the crowd at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret absolutely stunned.
Dressed and ready to move, the retired music teacher captivated President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto and visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with her remarkably flexible Kalenjin traditional dance — a display that quickly spread across social media and turned her into a nationwide sensation overnight.
From the classroom to the national stage
Basilisa taught music for 34 years before hanging up her teaching hat in 2002 at the age of 55. During her career, she earned numerous certificates and accolades for her school through music.
After retirement, she did not simply walk away from the art form that defined her working life. She began performing publicly in 2016, eventually joining the Sisto Cultural Dancers, a cultural group that was handpicked by the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) to represent Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Uasin Gishu at this year’s celebrations. The three counties co-hosted Mashujaa Day for the first time at the 15,000-seater venue in Eldoret.
“When music is in my blood, I dance, and I give the best dance that my mother showed me,” she said after her performance.
She credited President Ruto’s decision to bring the national celebrations to Uasin Gishu with creating the opportunity that thrust her into the spotlight.
“The opportunity now, I’ve gotten because of my president bringing this Mashujaa Day to Uasin Gishu,” she said.
All over the world
The exposure has been extraordinary for Basilisa. Since the celebrations, calls have reportedly poured in from as far afield as Canada and the United States, a development she attributes to the PPMC platform.
“PPMC has made me to be known, in fact, all over the world,” she said, adding that young people regularly tell her she is doing something meaningful.
She shared the stage with a strong lineup of performers, including gospel artist Pastor Joel Kimetto, popular Kalenjin musician Emmy Kosgei and Marakwet Daughter.
For Basilisa, the performance carried a deeper purpose beyond entertainment. Having taught music her entire professional life, she sees herself as a custodian of cultural heritage, passing down traditions to a generation that might otherwise lose touch with them.
“Music makes me to join the young men, women and the young generation,” she said.
Her story is a powerful reminder that passion, when it runs deep enough, does not retire when the work does.
