8 BEST GOSPEL ARTIST IN KENYA2023

Sex scandals, backstabbing and unwarranted rivalry among artists mar the Kenyan

gospel industry. Celebrities moving from gospel to secular is a common occurrence.

Nonetheless, the industry boosted some of the finest music figures. Men and women

who have stood the test of time to spread the word of God through music. This article

looks at the 8 best gospel artists in Kenya. The list is based on music produced and

awards.

Size 8 Reborn

Her real name is Linet Munyali. Size 8 was born in 1987 and began her career as a

secular artist. She came into the limelight in 2008 when Calif Records signed her. , a

popular record label owned by Clement Rapudo. She produced hits like "Vidonge" and

"Mateke" before she was quite secular and focused her energy on gospel music. Since

then, Munyali has produced gospel hits like Vidonge, Tinga Wana and Lenga. She has

collaborated with some of the country's finest artists, including the controversial Willy

Paul. In 2014 her song Mateke won Groove Award for Video of the Year. She has been

nominated as Female Artist of the Year on several occasions. Size 8 is married to DJ Mo,

and they have two kids, Ladasha Rambus and Muraya Junior.

Mercy Masika

Without Masika in the picture, it is difficult to mention gospel musicians in Kenya. The

39-year-old is arguably one of the most celebrated gospel figures in Kenya. Masika
started her music journey while in primary school in 1995. Professionally Masika has

produced great hits like Mwema, Nikupendeze, Huyu Yesu, and Shule Yako, among

others. She has collaborated with some of the finest artists nationally and in East Africa.

In 2016 she was named the Female Artist of the Year. The same year, her hit song

Mwema won the Skiza Ring Back Tune of The Year Award. Mercy Msika is a worship

leader at Jubilee Christian Church. She is married to David Mugoro, and they have two

kids, Ranise and Tevita.

Guardian Angel

The boy from Kakamega County grew up in a humble family. His real name is Paul

Omwaka. The 31-year-old began his music career while in high school in 2011. He

participated in the National School music festival and won various awards. Since then,

he has grown into the industry producing hits like Nadeka, Nimependa, Swadakta,

Rada, and Tunazidi, among others. Guardian has won several awards, including Best

Male Artist of The Year and Groove Award. He became a topic of discussion in the

country when he started dating Esther Musila, who by then was 28 years older than

him. They have since married, and the love is growing day by day.

Kambua

Kambua studied at the prestigious kianda Primary School and the Berkley School of

music. Kambua Mathu was born in 1986 in the capital Nairobi. Her parents, Prof

Manundu and Evangelist Loise Manundu, are the founders of Tabibu ministries. Her

gospel instincts are not by fluke. Mathu has won various awards in the gospel industry,
and she currently works at Citizen Television, where she hosts the Rauka TV show. She

is married to businessman Jackson Mathu, and they have one son, Nathaniel.

Janet Otieno

Janet Otieno was born in Kisumu County in 1977. She is a songwriter and a singer who

took a long to make a mark in the Kenyan gospel industry. In one of the interviews with

a leading television station, she admitted that music was not her thing, even though she

discovered her talent decades ago while singing in the church choir. Janet Otieno

became a household name in 2013 when she produced a hit song, "Napokea Kwako", in

collaboration with Tanzanian gospel sensation Christian Shusho. Janet is the winner of

the Mwafrika Awards, and her song 'Napokea Kwako was nominated for the Groove

Awards in 2014. She is married to Alfred Otieno

Rufftone

His real name is Roy Smith Mwatia. Rufftone is regarded as the "Godfather" of the

Kenyan gospel industry. He has been in the industry for over 22 years. Born in

Kakamega, western Kenya, the gospel dancehall and raga specialist has produced hits

like Mwikulu, Tsinyanga Tsiwere, Usichoke and Mungu Baba. The latter became a

national song featured in many government and state functions. He is an award-

winning gospel artist. The 44-year-old is currently a music producer and owns

Lampstand Records. He is married to Susan Njoki, and together they have two children.
Esther Wahome

Esther Wahome was born in 1974. Unlike most artists, she doesn't have a stage name.

The beautiful lady from central Kenya has been in the music industry for nearly 20

years. Her hit songs, Kuna Dawa and Damu, produced in 2014, topped the country

music charts for several months. She has won various awards. Wahome is happily

married with three children.

Daddy Owen

The list cannot be complete without the "king of kapungala", Daddy Owen, whose real

name is Owen Mwatia, was born in Kakamega County in 1982. He is the younger

brother of Rufftone. He began his musical journey in 2003 and has produced hits like

Mbona, Wewe Ni Mungu, Tobina, Kazi Ya Msalaba, and Vanity, amongst others. Owen

has also collaborated with the finest gospel artist in East Africa. Papa Fololo, as he is

sometimes called, has won various accolades, including KORA, Channel O and Groove

Awards. He is currently divorced.