Norman, that song is in Lingala,which, like KiSwahili, is a Bantu language. Some words in Lingala {like "Maisha-life"} are the same or similar as their Swahili counterparts}.

See this excerpt about Lingala:

"Lingala belongs to the Ngala Group of Bantu (Guthrie C36) and is spoken along the Lomami, the Ubangi, and the Zaire rivers as far as Kinshasa in Zaire, as well as up the Sangha River through Congo-Brazzaville and the Central African Republic....Lingala is primarily a lingua franca throughout the area described above. It is also used in the Zairian army and in schools. Lingala is broadcast in Zaire (La Voix du Zaïre and Radio Candip), in the Congo (La Voix de la Révolution), and in Angola (Radio Nacional de Angola)."

http://www.isp.msu.edu/AfrLang/Lingala_root.html

The notes below verify that this song was recorded in Kenya. I would imagine that Lingala speakers would record in Kenya because that East African nation's recording studios surpassed those of Central African nations [at least at the time of Och's recording.t time}

-snip-

The words, translations, and chords for
Niko Mchumba Ngombe are from that linked website:


D    G       A
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
D    G       A
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
G
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
A      D
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Chakula haina taabu                        (Food is no problem)
Tunana mbuzi tunakula                        (We kill goats and we eat)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Nguo haina taabu                        (Clothes are no problem)
Tunauza ngombe sokomi                       (We sell cows at the market)
Taabu tunavumilia                        (Problems...we perservere)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Maisha hapita                                (Life will pass)
Sisi tutazeeka                                (We will get old)
Natoto wangu watalinda ngombe                (My children will take care of the cows)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Havunjika kivulini                        (I will rest in the shadow)
Na pombe karibu yangu                       (And beer next to me)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

-snip-

See also these notes from that website:

"This song was recorded in 1973 in Kenya with the Pan African Ngembo Rumba Band. The song is written in Lingala. On the original single, Dijiba and Bukasa (whoever they might be) are co-credited with writing the song.

The transcription and translation are thanks to: a. omar, k. lunvuna and zuni migozi. And, of course Dave Cohen who posted them.

the "mchunga" is correct in the lyrics to Niko (mchumba actually means sweetheart/fiance)

Chords supplied by James Barnett.[Last modified 17 Jan 99 by trent]"