Jason Dunford

{{Infobox swimmer

| name = Jason Dunford

| image = Jason Dunford (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Dunford in 2017

| fullname = Jason Edward Dunford

| nicknames = "Samaki Mkuu"

| nationality = {{KEN}} {{USA}}

| strokes = Butterfly, freestyle

| club = Stanford, PASA, ADN Swim Project

| collegeteam = Stanford University

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|11|28}}

| birth_place = Nairobi, Kenya

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}

| weight = {{convert|170|lb|abbr=on}}

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{KEN}} }}

}}

Jason Edward Dunford, OGW, OLY (born 28 November 1986), also known as Samaki Mkuu, is a Kenyan Olympic swimmer, media personality, rapper and entrepreneur. During his swimming career he was predominantly a butterfly and freestyle sprinter winning gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, Universiade, All-Africa Games and African Championships, and reaching finals at the Olympics, World Championships and Short Course World Championships. He also held African, Universiade and Olympic records. He has worked as a broadcast journalist for the BBC, is a co-founder and adviser to software company, Safi, and is the CEO of Baila Entertainment whilst performing as Samaki Mkuu, one half of the rap duo Romantico & Samaki Mkuu.

Family life

Jason is the son of Martin and Geraldine Dunford. Martin Dunford is the Chairman of the Tamarind Group, which owns the Carnivore Restaurant.World Investment News, 18 June 1999: [http://www.winne.com/kenya/to24.html Interview with Mr. Martin Dunford] Geraldine is granddaughter to Abraham Block, the founder of Block Hotels, an African hospitality conglomerate that previously owned The Norfolk Hotel, Keekorock, Treetops, Nyali Beach Hotel and the New Stanley, among others. Martin was the vice-chairman of the Kenya Swimming Federation and the patron of the Nairobi Amateur Swimming Association (NASA).Daily Nation, 14 July 2007: [http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=5&newsid=102275 ALL AFRICA GAMES: Dunford proves his mettle]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

He has two brothers, Robert and David. His older brother, Robert, is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has several ultra-marathon swimming firsts to his name. His younger brother, David, was also an international swimmer and represented Kenya from 2005 to 2012.

On 28 June 2014, he married Lauren Dunford (nee Finzer) of Albany, California, daughter of William Finzer and Brigid McCaw.{{Cite web|url=http://sportsnewsarena.com/newly-wed-dunford-primed-for-title-defence-in-glasgow|title=Commonwealth Games: Newly wed Dunford primed for title defence in Glasgow|website=sportsnewsarena.com|access-date=2019-11-18}}

Career

= Early career =

Jason Dunford started swimming competitively in 1991, at the age of five and it was while at Kenton College, a primary school in Nairobi, under coach Andrew Nderu, that he began to establish himself as a top swimmer in age group for the region. At 13, the talented swimmer moved to study on a scholarship at Marlborough College in the United Kingdom.Swimnews.com, 26 March 2007: [http://www.swimnews.com/News/displayStory.jhtml?id=5163 A Tale Of Hope Out Of Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010624/http://www.swimnews.com/News/displayStory.jhtml?id=5163 |date=28 September 2007 }}

Dunford competed in various races at the 2004 Short Course World Championships in Indianapolis, and 2005 World Championships in Montreal, but the young swimmer failed to advance past the heats.[http://www.swimrankings.net/index.php?page=athleteDetail&athleteId=1560774&result=2005 Swimrankings.net profile – Season 2005]

While at Marlborough College he met coach Peter O'Sullivan, himself a former Great Britain International Swimmer in the 400 m Individual medley. O'Sullivan had swum at the University of Georgia, and it was he who encouraged Jason to look to college in the US to develop his swimming career. In 2005, after finishing his A-Levels, Dunford moved to Stanford University in the United States where he earned a swimming scholarship. In 2009, he graduated with a BA in Human biology,Stanford University: [http://gostanford.cstv.com/sports/m-swim/mtt/dunford_jason00.html Jason Dunford] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715160710/http://gostanford.cstv.com/sports/m-swim/mtt/dunford_jason00.html |date=15 July 2007 }} in 2012, he completed his MS in Earth Systems, and in 2016 he returned to the same campus, graduating with his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in June 2018.

In Shanghai he reached semi-finals in two events: 100 metres freestyle and 100 metres butterfly.[http://www.swimrankings.net/index.php?page=athleteDetail&athleteId=1560774&result=2006 Swimrankings.net profile – Season 2006] He missed the 2006 Commonwealth Games due to a conflict with preparations for his first NCAA Championships.The Stansard, 6 October 2010: [http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/InsidePage.php?id=2000019722&cid=136&story=Jason%20Dunford%20qualifies%20for%2050m%20butterfly%20final Jason Dunford qualifies for 50m butterfly final]

The 2006 African Swimming Championships in Dakar, Senegal, marked a breakthrough moment for him as he became the first Kenyan ever to win a continental swimming medal with gold in the 100m butterfly on the first day of competition. He went on to finish the competition with two gold medals (100m butterfly and 50m backstroke), three silvers (50m butterfly, 100m and 200m freestyle) and one bronze (50m freestyle). He also broke a number of national records. His younger brother David Dunford also performed well, winning two golds and one silver (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke and 50m backstroke).Stanford University: [http://gostanford.cstv.com/sports/m-swim/mtt/dunford_david00.html David Dunford] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014003643/http://gostanford.cstv.com/sports/m-swim/mtt/dunford_david00.html |date=14 October 2007 }}

His success in 2006 earned him second place in the Kenyan Sportsman of the Year award, behind Alex Kipchirchir, one of Kenya's many world-class runners. His brother David Dunford was selected as the Most Promising Sportsman at the same awards.The Standard 23 February 2007 {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090803023301/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/InsidePage.php?id=1143965206 Kipchirchir, Jepkosgei named Soya winners]}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.eastandard.net/archives/InsidePage.php?id=1143965206 |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 February 2009 |archive-date=3 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803023301/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/InsidePage.php?id=1143965206 |url-status=dead }}

Dunford participated in several races at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. His best result was reaching a 100 m butterfly final, where he finished eighth. On his way to final, he clocked 51.85,[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165010/http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2007/melbourne2007/Book_All_Results.pdf Melbourne 2007 Swimming results] a new African recordThe Standard, 13 July 2007: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090803023306/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/InsidePage.php?id=1143971249 Dunford bags Kenya’s first gold in Algeria]}} to beat Commonwealth Games Champion, Ryan Pini of Papua New Guinea in a swim-off for the 8th spot in the final. He also became the first Kenyan swimmer to qualify for the Olympics, gaining qualification for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China in the 100m butterfly as well as the 100m freestyle. On earlier occasions, some Kenyan swimmers have participated in the Olympics, but only on the IOC swimming wild card.

At the 2007 All-Africa Games in Algiers Jason Dunford won three gold medals (50m, 100m and 200m butterfly), two silver (50m freestyle, 100m backstroke) and three bronze (50m backstroke, 100m and 200 m freestyle).[http://www.coja2007.dz/ 2007 All-Africa Games] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704022901/http://www.coja2007.dz/ |date=4 July 2007 }} For his efforts at these games and the Melbourne World Championships, Dunford was awarded the Safaricom Kenyan Sportsman of the Year Award for 2007.The Standard, 20 March 2008: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090803023311/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/InsidePage.php?id=1143983188 Dunford, Jepkosgei Soya Winners]}}

= 2008/2009 – Olympics, World Championships and Universiade =

He participated the 2008 FINA Short Course World Championships in Manchester in April 2008 and reached the 100m butterfly final, finishing 8th.[http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2008/manchester2008/C73A1_Res1Heat_107_Finals_1_Men_100_Fly.pdf 2008 FINA Short Course World Championships – Men's 100m butterfly final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327024249/http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2008/manchester2008/C73A1_Res1Heat_107_Finals_1_Men_100_Fly.pdf |date=27 March 2009 }}

At the 2008 Olympics he competed in two events. In the 100-metre freestyle heats, he finished 24th overall, missing the semi-finals. He did, however, set a new national record of 49.06.[http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM011904.shtml#SWM011904 2008 Olympics 100 metres freestyle results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815042152/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM011904.shtml |date=15 August 2008 }} In his main event, the 100-metre butterfly, he qualified for the semi-finals, posting a new Olympic record of 51.14, and simultaneously bettering his own African record.

The previous Olympic record (51.25) was set by Michael Phelps at the 2004 Olympics.[http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM021907.shtml#SWM021907 2008 Olympics, 100 metres butterfly results – Heat 7] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817065059/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM021907.shtml |date=17 August 2008 }} Dunford's Olympic record did not last long; just a few minutes later Milorad Čavić of Serbia recorded 50.76, followed by two other swimmers (including Phelps) who beat Dunford's time.[http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM021909.shtml#SWM021909 2008 Olympics, 100 metres butterfly – Heat 9] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817041734/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM021909.shtml |date=17 August 2008 }} He reached the final and finished fifth by swimming 51.47.[http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM021101.shtml#SWM021101 2008 Olympics – 100m butterfly final results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819022141/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM021101.shtml |date=19 August 2008 }}

In December 2008 at the African Swimming Championships in Johannesburg he won three gold and two silver medals.The Standard, 3 January 2009: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090803023255/http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144003148&cid=136&j=&m=&d= Dunford, Ajulu impress as swimmers come of age]}}

His first major competition in 2009 was the Summer Universiade in Belgrade, where he won the 100 meters butterfly race in a time of 51.29.2009 Summer Universiade results service: [http://results.ub2009.org/results/ENG/SW/SWR173A_SW002110000001ENG.htm Men's 100m Butterfly Finals Final A] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714224520/http://results.ub2009.org/results/ENG/SW/SWR173A_SW002110000001ENG.htm |date=14 July 2009 }} In the semi-finals he had swum a new Universiade record 50.85,[http://www.ub2009.org/Dokumenta/PDF/Dnevni%20bilteni/Dnevni%20bilten%20plivanje%20No5.pdf The 25th Universiade Belgrade 2009 Swimming Bulletin № 5 10 July 2009] {{deadlink|date=February 2025}} also beating the African record again.[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/21636.asp World University Games, Swimming: Jason Dunford Sets African Record, Rie Kaneto Claims Asian Mark, Incredible 50 Breast Semis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307222444/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/21636.asp |date=7 March 2012 }}, Swimming World Magazine online; published 2009-07-09, retrieved 10 July 2009 At the 50 meters butterfly race he got silver behind Jernej Godec of Slovenia, but was fastest in the semi-finals, his time 23.09 being new Universiade record,[http://www.ub2009.org/Dokumenta/PDF/Dnevni%20bilteni/Dnevni%20bilten%20plivanje%20No1.pdf The 25th Universiade Belgrade 2009, Swimming, Bulletin № 1, 6 July 2009] {{deadlink|date=February 2025}} still in force after the final,[http://www.ub2009.org/Dokumenta/PDF/Dnevni%20bilteni/Dnevni%20bilten%20plivanje%20No2.pdf The 25th Universiade Belgrade 2009, Swimming, Bulletin № 2, 7 July 2009] {{deadlink|date=February 2025}} Dunford was also the bronze medalist over 100 metres freestyle in a time of 48.73.

At the 2009 World Championships he finished sixth in the 50 m butterflyOmega Timing: [http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2009/Roma2009/C73A1_Res1Heat_104_Finals_1_Men_50_Fly.pdf Swimming at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 50m butterfly final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806180543/http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2009/Roma2009/C73A1_Res1Heat_104_Finals_1_Men_50_Fly.pdf |date=6 August 2009 }} and 100 m butterflyOmega Timing: [http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2009/Roma2009/C73A1_Res1Heat_129_Finals_1_Men_100_Fly.pdff Swimming at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships – Men's 100m butterfly final]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} races. In the 100 fly semi-finals he set a new African and Commonwealth record of 50.78.

= 2010 – Commonwealth Games =

Dunford continued his continental medal hunting at 2010 African Swimming Championships winning two gold medals in butterfly and two freestyle silver medals.

He competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi taking the 50 m butterfly gold medal. It was the first swimming medal for Kenya at the Commonwealth Games.

In the presidential honors list for 2010, Jason Dunford was awarded an Order of the Grand Warrior {{Cite web|url=http://sportskenya.blogspot.com/2012/12/|title=Kenyan National Honours, who makes the Sports Category shortlist?|website=sportskenya.blogspot.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-14}} from President Mwai Kibaki for his services rendered to the nation. This awarded elevated him from a Head of State Commendation he had received two years prior.

= 2011 – World Championships and All Africa Games =

Dunford placed 4th in the 100m butterfly and 7th in the 50m butterfly at the Shanghai World Championships.{{Cite web|url=http://sportsnewsarena.com/?Jason-Dunford-misses-out-on-a-World-Swimming-medal-.html|title = Jason Dunford misses out on a World Swimming medal}}

Then at the All Africa Games in Maputo he won gold medals in the 50 and 100m butterfly, silvers in the 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 200m butterfly and a bronze in the 50m freestyle.[http://www.kenyanvibe.com/sports/3318-Dunford-brothers-take-Silver-Bronze-relay-event-Maputo.html]{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

= 2012 – Summer Olympics =

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Dunford competed in the men's 100 m butterfly only, finishing in 12th place.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/2012/SWI/mens-100-metres-butterfly-semi-finals.html |title=Swimming at the 2012 London Summer Games: Men's 100 metres Butterfly Semi-Finals {{!}} Olympics at Sports-Reference.com |website=Olympics at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=2016-06-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624132046/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/2012/SWI/mens-100-metres-butterfly-semi-finals.html |archivedate=24 June 2016 }} He was also Kenya's flag bearer.{{Cite web |url=http://g2014results.thecgf.com/athlete/cycling_road/1038850/jason_edward_dunford.html |title=Glasgow 2014 – Jason Edward Dunford Profile |website=g2014results.thecgf.com |access-date=2016-06-15}}

= 2014 – Commonwealth Games =

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Dunford reached the final in the 50 and 100 m butterfly. After representing Kenya for just shy of a decade, this was his final international competition.{{Cite web |url=http://sportsnewsarena.com/jason-dunford-retires-from-swimming--lays-rio-dream-to-rest| title = Jason retires}}

= 2014 - 2016 =

After retiring from swimming, Jason worked for two companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area, GreenCitizen and Sunrun, working in sales, business development and project management roles.

= 2016 - 2018 – Stanford Graduate School of Business =

In 2016, Jason enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business to pursue his MBA,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/newsroom/school-news/stanford-mba-class-2018-chose-careers-where-they-could-make-difference|title=Stanford MBA Class of 2018 Chose Careers Where They Could Make a Difference|website=Stanford Graduate School of Business|language=en|access-date=2019-04-14}} following earlier attainment of a BA in Human Biology and an MS in Earth Systems from Stanford University.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytl08v3XZas |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ytl08v3XZas |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title = Stanford GSB Admission Panel|website=YouTube }}{{cbignore}}

During the course of his MBA, he co-founded Safi Analytics {{Cite web|url=https://safianalytics.com/|title=Safi Analytics}} with his wife Lauren and founded his own talk-show J-Talk Live.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jasondunford/videos/j-talk-live-with-pauline-mutumwinka/10155408058890152/|title=J-Talk Live with Pauline Mutumwinka|website=www.google.com|access-date=2019-04-14}}

= 2018 - 2019 – the BBC and the emergence of Samaki Mkuu =

After graduation with his MBA in June 2018, Dunford joined the BBC as a bilingual, broadcast journalist working on a new Africa TV business team led by Africa business editor Larry Madowo,{{Cite web|url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/32204-kenyan-swimmer-jason-dunford-joins-bbc-business-journalist|title=Kenyan Swimmer Jason Dunford Joins BBC as Business Journalist|date=21 August 2018|website=www.kenyans.co.ke|access-date=2019-04-14}} where he reported and produced for the shows Smart Money,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtts5|title=BBC World Service TV - Smart Money|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-14}} Biashara Bomba,{{Citation|last=BBC News Swahili|title=Biashara ya Mazoezi imetia fora kote barani Afrika. Je ni kuimarisha afya ama starehe?|date=2018-11-20|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wx1ZJthfDY&list=PL6zy9zEqc7b5D_LTeBQYOYbiYFaR1ZTnF&index=26&t=16s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/4wx1ZJthfDY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2019-04-14}}{{cbignore}} Money Daily{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttsv|title=BBC World Service TV - Money Daily|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-04-14}} and Mitikasi Leo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6zy9zEqc7b7cD3ANDNXSYNEs9nnzKnHB|title=BBC MITIKASI LEO - YouTube|website=YouTube|language=en|access-date=2019-04-14}} In October, 2019 Jason left the BBC to pursue his music career full-time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/49319-how-jason-dunford-went-olympics-making-hit-songs|title=Journalist Who Quit BBC Job to Make Gengetone Hits - Kenyans.co.ke|website=Kenyans.co.ke|language=en|access-date=2020-02-02}}

Dunford began rapping in September 2018 after an invitation from Romantico to collaborate on the single Mbaya.{{Citation|last=Canvas Media Productions|title=Mbaya (Official Video) - Romantico Ft Samaki Mkuu (Jason Dunford)|date=2018-12-07|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4jko8AHWIU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/A4jko8AHWIU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2019-04-14}}{{cbignore}} In writing his rap for the first verse, he discovered his stage name Samaki Mkuu, composing the line "Naogelea nitakuwa Samaki Mkuu".{{Cite web|url=http://nairobiwire.com/2018/12/must-watch-retired-kenyan-swimmer-jason-dunford-drops-gengeton-banger-in-swahili.html|title=Must Watch: Retired Kenyan Swimmer Jason Dunford Drops 'Gengeton' Banger in Swahili|date=2018-12-10|website=Nairobi Wire|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-14}} The experience led to the formation of the duo Romantico & Samaki Mkuu, the creation of the new sound Gengetone, a merger of Genge and Reggaeton, that includes Swahili, Spanish and English lyrics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2001314223/the-fish-turned-rapper|title=The fish turned rapper|last=Mahugu|first=Jacqueline|website=The Standard|access-date=2019-04-14}} The duo's second song, Baila Baila, was a collaboration with the King of Genge, Jua Cali and was released in April 2019.{{Citation|title=JUACALI Feat. SAMAKI MKUU & ROMANTICO - BAILA BAILA (OFFICIAL 4K Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RI2qnqfNBo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8RI2qnqfNBo |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18}}{{cbignore}} Their third song, Chikicha, which launched in June 2019, was a collaboration with Munju Reh.{{Citation|title=CHIKICHA - MUNJU REH x ROMANTICO & SAMAKI MKUU (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFxp5Ub5GPI|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} Their fourth release, Caro, came out in November 2019.{{Citation|title=Romantico & Samaki Mkuu (Jason Dunford) - Caro (Official Video) [SMS Skiza 7634953 to 811]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXVCbSUpv3o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vXVCbSUpv3o |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18}}{{cbignore}} Samaki Mkuu then released his first single, a collaboration with his former colleague at the BBC, Peter Mwangangi and American folk singer, Sheeba Marie.{{Citation|title=Samaki Mkuu - Tabasamu (Official Video) feat. Peter Mwangangi & Sheeba Marie|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzOmVJ2d-C4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/NzOmVJ2d-C4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17}}{{cbignore}} Romantico & Samaki Mkuu released One, their first album together on 18 December 2019, with 11 gengetone tracks featuring artists Phoebe Alice-Ritchie, Dinah Ndombi, Peter Mwangangi, Sheeba Marie and Munju Reh.{{Citation|title=One on Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/19M87cBJp6My69FTVreIwl|language=en|access-date=2019-12-18}}

= 2020 - The development of a music career =

Following the release of their first album,{{Citation|title=OLYMPIC SWIMMER JASON DUNFORD AND ROMANTICO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM|url=https://swimswam.com/olympic-swimmer-jason-dunford-and-romantico-release-first-album|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08}} Romantico & Samaki Mkuu followed up with the release of their gengetone dance track Tiki Tiki featuring Sergeant Nyakundi.{{Citation|title=Romantico & Samaki Mkuu - Tiki Tiki feat. Sergeant Nyakundi (Official Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlGokfFN3eM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/RlGokfFN3eM |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-01-19}}{{cbignore}} Next came the release of Namba Yako featuring Zambian Afropop musician, Roberto.{{Citation|title=Romantico & Samaki Mkuu - Namba Yako (Official Video) feat. Roberto|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs-JZRGNnlU&list=PLAXBELqsBZf1Fz2XGu2CkeepbLXel9DPI&index=5&t=0s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/fs-JZRGNnlU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-03-05}}{{cbignore}}

On 1 April 2020, Samaki Mkuu released his second album, Unified:Un Ultimo Ulimwengu, a collaboration with Jus of Jabali Afrika featuring guest artists Romantico, Yawezekana Strong, Achienge Guyo and Daktare Dan.{{Citation|title=Unified on Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3uycTeGvumPEQdVy4hVUTG|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}

Following that, Samaki Mkuu and Jabali Afrika released videos for several of the tracks on the album including Covid-19,{{Citation|title=Jus/Jabali Afrika - COVID-19 (Official Video) feat. Samaki Mkuu and Steve Gee|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ivHvAYx5r4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/7ivHvAYx5r4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-03-30}}{{cbignore}} Aoko (Remix),{{Citation|title=JJabali Afrika - Aoko (Remix) (Official Video) feat. Romantico & Samaki Mkuu|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdoysA51fcU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VdoysA51fcU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-05-09}}{{cbignore}} Bila Baba, a dedication to Dads, released on Father's Day, 2020{{Citation|title=Romantico & Samaki Mkuu - Bila Baba (Official Video) feat. Jus/Jabali Afrika|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weSh_QRh1lA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/weSh_QRh1lA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-06-21}}{{cbignore}} and Freedom, released on 4 July 2020.{{Citation|title=Jabali Afrika - Freedom (Official Video) feat. Romantico & Samaki Mkuu, Yawezekana Strong, Steve Gee|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd8aAfkhyp4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Kd8aAfkhyp4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-07-04}}{{cbignore}}

The music video for the track Mombasa was released on 17 July 2020 as a dedication to the city.{{Citation|title=Jabali Afrika - Mombasa feat. Samaki Mkuu (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyMkJcJcOA8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pyMkJcJcOA8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-07-04}}{{cbignore}} Mombasa appears as the 7th track on Jabali Afrika's 8th studio album, Khusaire, released on 28 June 2020, on which Samaki Mkuu is also featured on the tracks Free My Soul, The Music, Global Solidarity and Hope.{{Citation|title=Khusaire on Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4OyrXh6vDbx15XqcYSOeNm?si=gfPXb7xmRmCVcXZojnHnqw|language=en|access-date=2020-06-28}}

In 2021, Dunford was part of a collaboration for the track Usiende Mbali {{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ozi0plgol0|title=Usiende Mbali|date=2023-01-02|website=Youtube|access-date=2019-11-18}} by Antonio Carmona of Ketama, Romantico & Samaki Mkuu, featuring Jabali Afrika and Sanaipei Tande.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20191030/471287818955/el-safari-de-antonio-carmona-flamenco-y-suajili-en-la-sabana-de-kenia.html|title=El Safari De Carmona|date=2019-10-30|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=2019-11-18}}

Dunford's first solo album as Samaki Mkuu, title Ocean Waters was released in 2021 {{Citation|title=Ocean Waterss on Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7Bo7fUUgs7UAu2FpJEw5Su?si=fd9F769mT6-N15ierHztJw|language=en|access-date=2023-01-03}}

References

External links

{{sports links}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724005414/http://www.gostanford.com/sports/m-swim/mtt/dunford_jason00.html Stanford University profile]
{{Swimrankings|id=4060091}}
[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-Dunford/195830433775354?created&sk=h#!/pages/Jason-Dunford/195830433775354?sk=wall]

{{succession box

| title = Kenyan Sportsman of the Year

| before = Alex Kipchirchir

| after = Samuel Wanjiru

| years = 2007

}}

{{succession box

| before = Grace Momanyi

| title = Flagbearer for {{KEN}}

| years = 2012 London

| after = Shehzana Anwar

}}