Steve ‘Alulu’ Jungo: A 27-Year Odyssey in Yugoslavia and the Music That Endured

Steve Hannington Jungo Chokwe left Kenya in 1965 at the age of 16 and spent nearly three decades in Yugoslavia, where he built a career in medicine, the arts and international diplomacy.

Born in Kenya’s coastal region, Jungo began his journey abroad following a decision by his father to send him to Europe for further studies. Travelling alone aboard the ship Omis, he spent a month at sea with a crew that spoke neither English nor Kiswahili and without access to books, radio or television. 

He arrived in Rijeka, a port city in present-day Croatia, before continuing to Belgrade, then the capital of Yugoslavia. After completing a year-long course in Serbo-Croatian, Jungo trained as a laboratory technician, qualifying in 1971. 

While later pursuing psychology at the University of Belgrade, he became increasingly active in the arts. He produced music, acted in films, and promoted Kenyan culture across Yugoslavia. His song Alulu Maybe gained popularity in Kenya, earning him the nickname “Alulu”.

Jungo remained in Yugoslavia for 27 years, living through major political shifts, including the decline of the federal state after President Josip Broz Tito’s death in 1980. During a visit to Kenya in 1991, civil war broke out in Yugoslavia, making it impossible for him to return. The conflict eventually led to the breakup of the country into several independent republics.

Following his return to Kenya, Jungo shifted focus to peacebuilding and cultural diplomacy. From his base in Nairobi, he launched initiatives such as the World Unique Peace Forum and the Kenya–Serbia Friendship Association, which combine arts, tourism, and education to promote dialogue and reconciliation.

In 2015, Jungo returned to Belgrade for the first time in over two decades. Invited by former colleagues, he resumed cross-cultural projects aimed at building peace, particularly in post-conflict regions of the Balkans. Despite ongoing tensions in areas like Bosnia and Kosovo, he continues to advocate for engagement and cooperation.

In July 2023, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs named him a Nikola Tesla Ambassador, recognising his role in strengthening ties between Kenya and Serbia. The title honours individuals who contribute to international collaboration in the spirit of innovation and global outreach.

That same year, his Nairobi studio was destroyed by fire during protests against the Finance Bill. Jungo and his team later rebuilt the space, continuing their work under the banner Make Peace Now – The World Must Unite, Africa Must Unite. He is currently planning tours across Kenya, Europe, and the former Yugoslav republics to promote unity through cultural expression.