Sell Compatible Music Discs, Kenyan Artists asked

Sammy Nene, in white turban , entertains fans at the International House of Worship Church in Braintree last Sunday. H.Maina/Ajabu

By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News

BRAINTREE, Mass. , MARCH 11_Visiting Kenyan gospel artists have been asked to sell music Compact Disks and Digital Video Discs (DVDs) that are compatible with the US system.

Braintree-based International House of worship Church’s senior Pastor Joram Karanja made the call during celebrations to mark nearly two years since the church’s inception in June 2008.

The young church, located in the south shore area of Boston, has been growing steadily since its inception and it serves Kenyans from Brockton, Braintree, Randolph, Quincy and the surrounding cities.

The service was attended by the original composer of the popular Kikuyu gospel hit, Geithia Mundu (greet someone), who also hails from the Akorino church in Kenya.

Pastor Karanja said that recently, many Kenyans in the Diaspora have been disappointed after buying music from their favorite artists visiting and performing in the US but only to find that the CDs or DVDs can’t play in their entertainment systems here.

“Some visiting artists have sold us discs that play in the church but cannot play in our home systems,” said pastor Karanja. “I hope your CDs will this time play,” Pastor Karanja added as he addressed the popular musician.

As he stepped forward to entertain excited congregation, Nene, who is also a pastor at the Akorono church in Kimende village in Limuru, Kenya, apologized to his Kenyans fans in the US on behalf of all those musicians who have come and sold incompatible discs.

He said that it was not deliberate but perhaps a matter of incompatibility of some recording systems in Kenya with the America systems. “But mine will play very well. They have been tested,” Nene quickly added to the amusement of his fans.

Nene said in case anyone encountered any problem with the CDs he sold them, they could call AjabuAfrica.com, his local contacts, for a replacement.

The popular artist, who performs music reminiscent of the highly spiritual Akorino sect also said that he was surprised when he came to the US only find that one of his most popular songs had been pirated by a Kenyan in Massachusetts without his knowledge nor credit to him.

Pastor Elijah Kariuki from AIC Nakuru, Kenya: "What is impossible with man is possible with God"

Pastor Joram Karanja from IHOW , Braintree, MA: "Sell music discs compatible with our system"

The song is Geithia mundu, which implores everyone to greet anyone in their neighborhood and tell them that they love them.  It is played regularly in many Kikuyu community churches across the United States during which excited worshippers exchange bless each other.

“I hear that in fact there is a second person who has also pirated my song,” said Nene. They thought I would never come to America and find out,” he expressed concern.
 
The artist said he was however not bothered by those who have pirated his music because they are still spreading the word of God through his original ideas.

Nene proceeded to entertain Kenyans with his other various popular hits including Nituine Gisayuni (Let’s sing in Zionism), bringing the young and old to their feet frequently.

A second Kenyan gospel artist, Chege Rubia, from Lawrence, Mass, also entertained fans with a new track from his upcoming new album. The yet to be released track, with a Kikuyu reggae style hit that was an instant hit with fans. He promised to release the entire album soon.

Chege Rubia, aka Cheii, performing at Braintree

During the exciting service, a visiting preacher from the African Inland Church in Bahati, Nakuru District in Kenya, Pastor Elijah Kariuki told Kenyans in the Diaspora to put faith in God, adding that all their desires will come true. “With God, nothing is Impossible. The impossibilities before men are all possible before God,” added the man of God.

Pastor Joram Karanja credited the growth of the International House of worship church to the ability of the founding pastors, who included himself and pastor James Kori, to keep put aside their individualism, selfishness and ideologues.  Pastor Kori has however relocated to a different state in the normal course of life.

As we have continued to grow, I have found out that leaders who perform well are those that find the need for collaborative efforts and those who encourage participative management,” said pastor Karanja.

He pledged that the church leadership will continue to listen more than they talk while striving to adapt to changes so as to get solutions to various challenges.

John Macharia, who had come in from Worcester said that what pastor Karanja said about music CDs and DVDs was totally true. “The artists need to check their music well to make sure it is compatible to our systems here,” he emphasized.

The event’s program was coordinated by the master of ceremonies, Pastor Stephen Kahuki whose humor entertained worshippers as he called various groups from as far as Worcester and other areas to perform.

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