Tembea Nairobi na Kenya mitaani, in and out of live venues. In fact, there is no other time in our history where access to musical instruments, sound reinforcement, schools, studios and distribution was so easy.
Yes, at the moment, getting an instrument is very easy, but that is just the beginning of tje journey. The next is finding the correct material to practice and play.
I've had the privilege of travelling to a few towns across the country, as well as work with some of these musicians who work in Nairobi clubs and events. There is a serious gulf, not just in education, but exposure.
Music education is expensive and most Kenyans don't even take it as something worth investing in, so most of what these schools teach is quite shallow when it comes to theory. They focus mostly on practical skills. The school that offers all round education is the Conservatoire of Music at KNT, but they mostly stick to british ABRSM education while neglecting African music (I was there). Same for KU.
As a result, many musicians are self taught, especially those playing local genres. What they learn will be a product of their environment. One place I went to is Nunguni in Makueni and those guys could twanga that Kamba music effortless, but when it came time to sound more western, they failed. I can't fault them. I'd rather have it that way.
On the other hand here in Nairobi, a musician would play and sing Kenny Rodger's repertoire inside and out but ask them to play something by Mzee Ngala, they simply don't know the songs.
I wouldn't expect a rock musician to play jazz and vice versa, but at least they acknowledge those genres exist. Here in Kenya, especially with gigging musicians in Nairobi, most practice and play western music, yet they are the ones with the most access to resources in comparison to someone from Mundika in Busia.
There is no effort to record, transcribe and teach the myriad of music styles such as Benga or Mugithi to the newer generations, especially those far removed from the centres of popularity. This is how a lot of music by the likes of akina Dola Kabari has disappeared from the nation.