Faith, music and leadership: Alice Obuya’s choir Odyssey. By Ann Wangari.

Born in the early 1961, in the heart of the Anglican Church Province of Kenya (CPK), I was baptized as a
toddler and later confirmed at the age of 13. My family lived in the Government Quarters, just opposite
the church, back when Jogoo Road was a simple two-way street. I eagerly attended Sunday school in the
church and couldn’t wait for each Sunday to arrive.

My involvement in the church choir was almost inevitable since I was already part of Sunday school. In
1973, while I was still in primary school, I joined the English Choir, and later, I was drawn to the Kiswahili
Choir. At that time, there were only two church services, with the Kiswahili service being the main one.
The choir was an integral part of the youth activities, known as the Kenya Anglican Youth Organization
(KAYO). Back then, there was no distinction between the choir and the youth; they were one and the
same.

One particular memory stands out vividly from those days – a dramatic reenactment of Moses
confronting Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. I was part of the chorus singing “LET MY PEOPLE GO,” and to
this day, that scene remains etched in my memory. The beautiful song was performed by the late
Christopher Shikuku, who also happened to be my music teacher at Pangani Girls in Nairobi. We later
sang it at the Kenya Music Festivals, earning us second place with an impressive 78% score.

Being a choir member came with its challenges, including managing school commitments. My mother
decided to transfer my two siblings to boarding schools due to our busy schedules, leaving only my
younger sibling with me. Eventually, my younger sibling had to leave the choir when we moved to a
distant neighborhood. Crossing Bahati and Jogoo roads was no easy feat, and my mother always worried
about our safety.

In those days, our seniors, who were like mothers to us, provided immense support. Notable figures such
as Mrs. Linet Mola, the late Mama Susan Lundi, and Mrs. Kaibe were instrumental in our choir journey.

Under the skilled leadership of the late Darius Mbela, our choir gained recognition for singing Kiswahili
and various African folk songs. We participated in numerous competitions and brought home trophies.
One unforgettable moment was at the KICC music festival when we sang the Hallelujah Chorus, earning a
remarkable 99% score, leaving the adjudicator utterly speechless. We also had the honor of performing
at weddings and funeral services for prominent members of society. I even had the privilege of singing at
the services for the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, under the guidance of the late Darius Mbela, and later for
the late Daniel Moi and the late Emilio Mwai Kibaki, led by Daniel Madalanga. We were in high demand,
and church services were never missed.
During Christmas services and Christmas Eve, the church would be packed to capacity, with extra chairs
borrowed from the Church Army to accommodate everyone. In those years, the choir was stationed in
the middle of the congregation, close to the old organ. The organ served us well during practices and
services. Our changing room, which is now the Secretary’s office, was where we prepared for
processions and recessions. Much has changed since those days.

Under Darius Mbela’s leadership, the choir’s finances were in excellent shape, even surpassing the
church’s accounts. Whenever we went on choir trips, all expenses were covered; we only needed to
show up. Our uniforms, tailored from Burma market, were provided for, as were our church robes, a Mr.
Mbela initiative. The Kiswahili choir wore maroon robes, while the English choir donned purple.

As a soprano, I faced challenges from the more experienced pros, but Mr. Mbela motivated us to reach
their level through discipline and hard work. I took a 13-year break to care for my family before rejoining
the choir ministry in 2002 as a member of the English Service Choir. Eventually, I briefly joined the
Crooners choir but couldn’t juggle both choirs, so I opted to stay with the English Choir.

During my time in the choir ministry, I had the privilege of meeting several remarkable men of God who
left a lasting impact on my life. Reverend Luke Makolo, Reverend Peter Mwakio, Reverend Alexander
Kipsang Muge, and Bishop Peter Njoka are names that I will always remember. I recall a memorable visit
to Bishop Njoka’s home, where he treated us to roasted goat meat.

As the church transitioned into a cathedral, I had the opportunity to serve under the leadership of
Provost Cannon John Ndungu, Cannon Joshua Omungo, and our current Provost, Cannon Paul Kariuki.
Today, the cathedral boasts three choirs, each representing respective services, and we occasionally
come together to form the Joint Choirs of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

I am immensely grateful to God for the gift of singing, which I hold dear to my heart. It feels odd to sit in
the congregation’s pews, and I am honored to lead the Mothers Union choir as their Chairlady. As long as
God preserves me, I will continue to serve in this noble ministry, finding it deeply fulfilling.