Soulful Kenyan vocalist and songwriter Benson Mutua Muia, widely known as Bensoul, has revealed that Kodong Clan was born not from strategy or commercial intent but from a deeply personal moment of loneliness that struck him after he walked away from Sol Generation.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Pulse on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the crooner opened up about the birth of the group that has since captured the hearts of music lovers across the country.
He described Kodong Clan not as a formal band but as a brotherhood, a collective of like-minded artistes and long-time friends who, like him, had been on similar musical journeys and were yearning for a sense of community, creative expression, and shared purpose.
“It’s a really beautiful community of artistes, friends, and people I’ve grown with throughout my musical journey,” Bensoul shared.
“Since I began doing music professionally, I’ve always moved with a team — a group that felt like home. When I was with Hart the Band, that was the crew I rolled with. When I left them and joined Sol Generation, Bien and the team became that circle for me.”
However, things took a quieter, more emotionally complex turn after he left Sol Generation — a move that, while liberating in some ways, also left him navigating the unpredictable waters of independence without the camaraderie and structure he had grown used to.
“After leaving Sol Generation, I honestly started to feel lonely,” he admitted candidly.
“There was this strange emptiness — the kind that comes when you’re used to building and creating with people, and suddenly that’s gone.”
Motivated by that void and a longing to reconnect with the kind of collaborative spirit that had always fuelled his creativity, Bensoul said he reached out to long-time friend and fellow artiste Trevor, proposing they start something — anything — that would bring them and other talented musicians together in a meaningful, intentional way.
“I told him, ‘Let’s start something — even if it’s just a chama — where we plan music projects together, release albums, or even just save money and organise events,’” he recalled with a smile. “It wasn’t about structure; it was about building a space for honest creativity.”
Their first gathering came in the form of a casual, self-funded creative camp in Kisumu. There were no sponsors, no curated guest lists, and no hierarchy — just a simple, open invitation to anyone who felt the pull to create and be part of something special.
“Everyone paid their own way. We said, ‘If you want to come, just come.’ And the ones who showed up that day became the first heartbeat of what would later become the Kodong Clan. That camp changed everything,” Bensoul reflected. “The energy was so rich, so genuine. When we finally sat down as a group, I felt like I’d found brothers. Real brothers. And that’s when we came up with the name Kodong Clan.”
From that defining moment, the group, which now includes notable names such as Okello Max, Coster Ojwang, Charisma, Modecai Dex, and Watendawili, has steadily grown into a formidable presence within Kenya’s ever-evolving music landscape.
With each member bringing a distinct voice and creative flavour, the clan has managed to carve out a unique identity, redefining what it means to belong to a collective in an industry that often rewards solo brilliance over collaborative spirit.
Bensoul explained that Kodong Clan is not held together by contracts or strict structures but by trust, mutual respect, and the shared hunger to create music that speaks to something deeper.
“It’s not about individual fame anymore,” Bensoul said. “It’s about all of us. About pouring our hearts into every song, showing up for each other, and knowing that in this industry,, which can be isolating at times, we have a space where we truly belong.”
He added that since forming the group, everything in his life — both musically and emotionally — has begun to align again.
“I feel alive again,” he said with a warm smile. “I feel like I’ve found my tribe.”
Lion of Sudah
Bensoul, who was signed by Sol Generation in February of 2019, first shared the reasons for his exit from the popular recording label in April of 2023.
In a candid interview on a local radio station, he revealed that his departure was a conscious decision aimed at establishing his own artistic empire, ‘The Lion of Sudah’.
Reflecting on his journey, Bensoul shared that his time with Sol Generation had been a formative period in his career, allowing him to grow both as an artist and an individual.
“Considering everything that I have learned at Sol Generation, I feel like I’m ready to handle my own empire and make sure I take care of other artistes on the way,” he said, emphasising that the transition would be smooth and seamless.
He expressed confidence in the independence he was now embracing, one that would allow him to work on his life, his career, and his vision without compromise.
“I feel like I’m in a better place, and I really want to be on my own. I’m just introducing people to something they already know. The Sudah era — The Lion of Sudah — as my album introduces us to my company, The Lion of Sudah, and the festival that will be happening on the 20th of April at Alchemist, and then Sudah Coin,” he explained.
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