Elisha Toto: Top songs and roots of artiste behind viral Raila Odinga song
Elisha Toto has captured national attention with his latest single, ‘Tribute To Raila Amolo Odinga’, released on October 16, 2025.
The song, which honours the late political leader Raila Odinga, became an instant viral hit across Kenya, receiving extensive airplay on radio, social media platforms, and television.
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The track was produced by Suba Kings Studio in collaboration with Chris Muziki and features Toto’s signature ohangla sound: a Luo cultural music style characterised by upbeat percussion, melodic basslines, and storytelling lyrics.
Roots
Toto, born Elisha Okuku Outa, hails from the Suba region in Kenya’s Nyanza lakeside area.
He began performing in primary school as part of the Ramogi dancers, gaining early exposure to Luo cultural music and drama.
His nickname, “Toto,” which means “child” in Luo, originated from this period.
He later joined local bands in Uriri, performing on traditional instruments like the bell and the orutu.
During this early stage, he earned as little as Ksh15 per day.
By 2019, he had formed his own band, consisting of twenty members, and began releasing original tracks that gradually built a following.
Notable songs
Before his Raila tribute, Toto released several notable songs that solidified his reputation in the ohangla genre.
His breakout track, Paroga Nyasuba, gained popularity through TikTok, where a dance challenge amplified its reach beyond Nyanza.
The Ohangla love song is about a man expressing his deep love for a woman named Nyasuba, reminding her of their bond, and seeking honesty in their relationship.
The song explores themes of love’s power, commitment, and emotional vulnerability, and it also has cultural and spiritual significance for the Luo people.
Other well-known songs include Nyar Mwalimu, Mosna Ng’ama Loyano, Koso Ni Ringa Kapesa Orumo, and Ngima Emadwong.
Nyar Mwalimu was released in 2023, and Elisha uses it to open up about his admiration for a “teacher’s daughter” (“Nyar Mwalimu”), expressing themes of love and devotion.
The song was released in 2023 on the album of the same name.
In 2022, he released Awino, a reflective piece highlighting themes of memory and growth.
In August 2024, he followed with Ariti Topodi Ideko, further expanding his catalogue.
Each of these tracks reflects Toto’s consistency in producing music rooted in Luo tradition while experimenting with modern instrumentation to reach broader audiences.
The ‘Tribute To Raila Amolo Odinga’ single marked a defining moment in Toto’s career.
Released shortly after Odinga’s death, it was widely shared on social media, with clips trending on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
It arguably became the most used tribute of all songs released by Kenyan and Tanzanian artistes in honour of the late prime minister, who died after a cardiac arrest in Kerala, India.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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