Heads turned when he strolled into the dancing hall. His fans went wild when he strummed one of his popular benga tunes.

For several hours that followed, Tom Kodiyo sang and danced to the frenzied crowd. A guitar dangling across his belly, he played every number the fans requested.

But a few people who have known Kodiyo as a senior manager with a corporate organisation were puzzled. They simply could not believe their eyes. "Just how does he combine the two", one reveler inquired.

Yet for many years, Kodiyo has successfully combined the two tasks - music and corporate management. During the day, he is busy managing the affairs of the giant Kisumu Teachers Saving and Credit Society, at night he is a "Benga" wizard.

A chat with Kodiyo in his expansive , neatly furnished office in Kisumu town and watching him on stage during one of his many performances depict two scenes and roles, miles a part.

Kodiyo, is so obsessed with his guitar that he carries it to crucial Society meetings, where he plays it to cool tempers whenever tension arose.

His sub-role as entertainer has won him many friends from the society members. "Teachers like me on stage and in the office too because I manage their affairs well and give them loans on time", Kodiyo said in an interview.

He says music has never interfered with his management work. " Music is just a hobby, the way you can work in a busy office and play football after work. I find it quiet easy and interesting to combine the two. The only difference is that one is serious work , the other is a mere hobby".

Although Kodiyo is not a member of any particular band and plays with any band available, he is more at home with the Continental Revolution Band of the Late George Ojijo, currently based at the Kisumu Social center.

Before the band relocated to Social center, Kodiyo was a popular and regular entertainer at the Apoc Complex bar where the band was based. He was guest singer with the late Okatch Biggy's Heka Heka and C.K Dumbe Dumbe of the late George Ramogi.

Kodiyo and other musicians hope the ban will be lifted so that nightlife can return to Nyanza.

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