Gospel Artists Thrill Kenyans in Lowell, MA

Joseph Muruaru, a popular Kikuyu Gospel artist, performs during a well attended Spring Inter-denominational Praise event at the Community Christian Fellowship Church in Lowell, Mass. last Sunday. Other artists attending the event were Sammy Nene and Mrs.Annie Arthur from the Akorino denomination. pic by H Maina/ Ajabu

Story and pics Harrison Maina 
LOWELL, Mass- A concert by three visiting Kenyan gospel artists thrilled hundreds of Kenyans in Lowell, MA on Sunday, May 31st leaving them snapping up the few CD’s and DVD’s available at the end of the event.

Hosted by Rev. Joseph and Anne Waiyaki of www.Faithserviceministries.org , and coordinated by Lucy Muthumbu aka Wasaimo and Sarah Mbogo, both popular Gospel artists in the Kenyan community in Lowell, the event attracted visitors from as far as Attleboro and Worcester. Mrs. Njoki Mwaura from Kameme FM, a Kenyan based Kikuyu language radio station also attended.

The show, dubbed the ‘Spring Interdenominational Praise’, brought together artists and worshippers from various denominations to the Community Christian church ( CCF) , specifically to praise and worship God though music.

Two of the artists come from the Akorino denomination in Kenya, which is known for their pure white wear, including a white turban for men and a white head gear women.

The majority of Kenyans do not understand the Akorino faith and regard it with a lot of suspicion, a fact that Sammy Nene, who composed and sang the popular ‘Geithia Mundu’ (Greet someone) fame sought to explain as he performed on Sunday.

“I eat the same food you eat, and use the same cooking oil like you”, said Nene. “I also know that paraffin is not for cooking, so don’t wonder so much about me,” he added.

Nene, who is a pastor at the Akorino Church at Kimende, in Limuru area of Kenya, said that he too praises the lord Jesus Christ who is our savior, and was glad that he was invited to share the love of God together with the other artists from other denominations.

Sammy Nene, pastor of the Akorino Church in Kimende, Limuru , Kenya, performs during an inter-denominational praise service in Lowell, Mass.

“Let’s all praise the lord together”, he said in his native Kikuyu language before embarking on his spiritually uplifting melodies.

During one of his performances, Nene was joined on stage by Joseph Muruaru, an immensely popular Kikuyu Gospel musician, whose energetic dance moves drew cheers from the crowd.

Muruaru has produced several albums, his latest being Kiria Mwathani Ahete (what God has Given me).

Mrs. Annie Arthur, another visiting artist from the Akorino church, also performed several singles, and was at one point joined by Nene on the stage.

It was the first time Kenyans in the USA were entertained live by Wakorinos, although their music is usually purchased on Cd’s and DVDs’.

The event was also graced by a visiting preacher, Bishop Samuel Muya from Elburgon, Rift valley Province in Kenya.

Mrs. Annie Arthur, a member of the Akorino church in Kenya , performs during an inter-denominational praise service in Lowell, Mass

Bishop Muya delivered the word of God during the well attended event, while Pastor Rafoul Najem, the senior pastor at Community Christian Church (CCF) led the worshippers in reciting the apostolic creed in recognition of the different denominations congregated at the sanctuary.
Pastor Najem also welcomed Kenyans at the church and told them that it was great to see all these people coming together to praise God.

The popular artists have continued to attract attention from many Kenyans across many states.

While performing one of his popular singles, Joseph Muruaru said that he has been performing in several states since he arrive in the USA recently.

“I went to California, Kansas and, Texas, and all the Kenyans have been very good to me”.

Muruaru’s music is so popular that during an earlier performance during the Sunday service at Saint Stephen’s church in Lowell, all his CD’s sold out in a few minutes.
Muruaru also performed at the Quincy Fellowship last Tuesday.

The artists will part ways this weekend for performances in different cities.
Sammy Nene will head to Worcester where he is scheduled to perform at the All Saints Anglican church on May street while Mrs. Annie Arthur will be at the PEFA Church in Malden.

Muruaru will join Bishop Samuel Muya at Christ is the Answer Church in N. Chelmsford, MA for another round of praise and worship where they will be hosted by Pastor John and Joan Wachira.

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