By Nikko Tanui

Lovers of vernacular gospel music from Rift Valley Province have had their prayers answered through musician Gladys Cherotich.

The three-feet tall songbird’s song Kongoi (Thank you) is receiving plenty of airplay in vernacular and Christian radio stations across the country.

Gladys Cherotich

Fans constantly interrupted our interview in Kericho town to introduce themselves as well as thank the artiste for being "a blessing" to their lives through her music.

"I am overwhelmed by the response to my first album of eight songs and I am grateful to God that, despite my height and other impairment, I’m contributing something positive to people’s lives,’’ says Gladys.

The singer, formerly a student at Kisumu Joyland Special School, says she chose to sing in her mother tongue because that is what she felt would exhaustively express what was in her heart.

However, due to public pressure, the musician who is a member of Nairobi Living Light Church says, her second album will be multilingual.

Gladys is the 11th in her family but none of them is physically challenged.

The late Angela Chibalonza is her all time favourite musician whose music greatly encouraged her. In one of her outstanding songs kiyaan Jehovah (God made me), she praises God for giving her strength.

"I want to keep ministering through my music for a long time. This to me will be a life well-lived," says the 26-year-old from Bomet District.

She is grateful to her loving and supportive parents Mr and Mrs Philip Chumo and is thankful for the support she has unfailingly received from her siblings, church and community members.

She plans to establish an organisation for people with disabilities in future "where they will be encouraged to discover and use their God-given talents to touch other lives".