November 8, 1938: Joseph Kamaru is born

Family: He was married to Susan Wanjiru and the late Rev. Teresia Wanjiku with whom he had five children- Boniface Macharia, the late Stephen Irungu, Ann Wanjiru, Samuel Macharia and Stephen Maina.

1957: Kamaru moves to Nairobi where he works as a cleaner/cook at Kahawa Barracks, buys his first guitar. To supplement his income, Kamaru and his wife Susan sell fruits and vegetables off a bicycle.

Music bug bites: Drawing inspiration from the song  Mbeca Ithiragira Urakua by Mwangi wa Gachau Wagaithari, Kamaru and his sister launched his music career,  produced his first song titled ‘Uthoni wa Mbathiini (Celina).’ He also releases ‘Mboco iri Mbuca.

Inspiration: Kamaru’s music was influenced by political, social, economic and cultural events that happened in the country, Africa and the world at the time.

1966: Kamaru records the controversial ‘Ndari ya Mwarimu’ that got Kenyans and the Kenyan Parliament speaking.

Success: Thereafter, Mzee Kamaru recorded multiple other songs which he sold at Kamaru Music Store – one located along Luthuli Avenue and the other at Ramogi.

1989: Kamaru Performs at the wedding reception of Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and at Carnivore to an over-capacity crowd.

October 1, 2018: Kamaru is hospitalised at MP Shah Hospital

October 3, 2018: Kamaru dies in the presence of his family at the hospital.