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A video of outgoing Japan’s Ambassador Ryoichi Horie that went viral on social media on February 15, 2020 thrust him to the Kenyan limelight.
That was just but the start for a diplomat, who arrived in the country on duty in 2018.

In the clip, Horie and his wife, Madam Yuko, had performed the popular ‘Malaika’ acapella in Elgeyo Marakwet. Those attending the event gave the couple a standing ovation for the beautiful Swahili skit.

It was, however, not the first time he was performing. In October 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta was elated when the couple sang for him at Dongo Kundu in Mombasa during the ground-breaking ceremony of Dongo Kundu Special Zone.

He has mastered the Daima mimi Mkenya that was originally sang by Eric Wainaina. 

And in August this year, while attending a cultural ceremony in West Pokot, dressed in the local cultural attire, Horie performed the Daima mimi Mkenya song.

And on Tuesday, he crowned his tour of duty with a farewell of its own kind. As usual, alongside his wife, the diplomat took to the stage at State House, Nairobi to entertain the President. Playing a guitar, Horie and his wife gave a beautiful rendition of the Daima mimi Mkenya song.

“Umoja ni fahari yetu, Undugu ndio nguvu, Chuki na ukabila Hatutaki hata kamwe, Lazima tuungane, tuijenge nchi yetu, Pasiwe hata mmoja, Anaetenganisha,” Horie sang as the wife gave him support. “Naishi, Natumaini, Najitolea daima Kenya. Hakika ya bendera, Ni uthabiti wangu Nyeusi ya wananchi na nyekundu ni ya damu Kijani ni ya ardhi, nyeupe ya amaniDaima mimi mkenya.”

Two members of their family beat the drum and sounds of the piano could be heard as the couple sang in unison. “Daima mimi Mkenya…mwananchi mzalendo,” they conclude and got into Malaika, nakupenda malaika song.

By this time, Uhuru who, was keenly watching and being entertained, had begun clapping.

“Congratulations..well done. Asante sana,” Uhuru said as he moved closer to the couple.

The President on Tuesday bade farewell to Horie, who paid him a courtesy call at State House.

At the meeting, attended by Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, the President thanked the outgoing envoy for helping deepen Kenya-Japan bilateral ties.

The Head of State observed that several transformative projects, supported by the Japanese Government, had taken off during his tenure among them the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.