The idea for Nyabinghi: The Story of Ras Lojuron began with a fleeting encounter in 2012. I saw Ras Lojuron at a community event where he spoke briefly about his grandfather's Legacy; his presence, quiet yet commanding, left a lasting impression on me. I didn't know much about him then, but something about his demeanor and energy stayed with me.

Years passed. In August 2021, I reached out to him for an interview for my podcast. We exchanged a few texts. I told him :

 

“ I am particularly interested in knowing about your heritage with relation to Jaden who played a vital role in setting the foundation for South Sudan… I also want to know more about your Pan-African thoughts… and your Rastafarian faith and advocacy work in Kenya.”

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He replied warmly and invited me to join a Pan-African tree planting event he was leading in Nairobi. Unfortunately, I was caught up in other projects and never followed up. Life swept me back to Juba, and though I occasionally came across updates about his work, his leadership of the Rastafarian Society of Kenya, and legal advocacy for Rasta rights, I remained a distant observer.

Then, in May 2025, I heard the news of his passing. A deep sadness overwhelmed me, not just from the loss, but from the realization that I had missed the chance to learn from him while he was truly alive.

I tried texting his number to see if someone had it and could direct me to the house, but got no reply.

So, I traveled to Nairobi, searching for traces of him in Kibera, the home of the Haile Selassie Foundation, a space Lojuron helped build and loved deeply. I was directed to a small place by the roadside, lush with trees and greenery. From the outside, it looked like a garden. Inside, I found his portrait, a condolence book filled with messages from those he had touched, and artifacts from his spiritual journey.

I sat with members of the Rastafari Society of Kenya (RSK) as they narrated to me more about who Lojuron was.

Initially, I had planned to simply record interviews and share his story through a podcast. But the more I listened, the more I realized that Ras Lojuron’s life demanded something deeper, something more enduring. What began as a casual idea became a personal mission: to make a full-length documentary that could capture the complexity, depth, and legacy of a man who embodied resistance, spirituality, and purpose.

This is the first time I’ve taken on a documentary project. I am not a filmmaker. To do justice to it, I brought on board the incredibly talented Monicah Mugo as producer; she is someone with a proven track record in filmmaking and storytelling. Her experience and commitment have elevated this project beyond what I could have done alone.

Nyabinghi is more than a film about Ras Lojuron. It is a meditation on legacy, grassroots struggle, Pan-African identity, and the power of spiritual conviction. It is about those who fight not with weapons, but with rhythm, memory, and belief.

As you watch this documentary, I hope you don’t just see Lojuron’s life; I hope you feel the pulse of a broader movement, hear the echoes of quiet revolutions, and reflect on what it means to live by one's conviction, even when the world looks away.

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Nelson Kwaje
Director, Nyabinghi: The Story of Ras Lojuron