Gospel diva’s heart bleeds for women

By Kiundu Waweru

So who is Joan Wairimu?

I am a God-fearing woman, a wife and mother of three children. I am also a gospel musician, a pastor and a pastor’s wife. Most of all I have a ministry, which is my life, the Queens Ministry International, which is dedicated to empowering women.

So what is the Queens Ministry?

The ministry is dedicated to empowering women who have led failed lives; despite some being beautiful, educated and prospered, they wait on men to make them happy. On every second Friday of the month, we meet with women at Charter Hall for prayers from 9pm to 6am.

How did it all start?

Back in 1998 when my husband and I started a church, Jesus Manifestation Church in Githurai 45, as a pastor’s wife I was charged with counselling women and their many issues saddened me. My heart went out to them and slowly a passion began to build. Women have been labelled as weaklings who cannot think for themselves. They are abused in relationships, seen as objects and mishandled in all manner of ways.

As we prayed together, God would answer our prayers and their lives started improving. They would come to the church in large numbers. Then God started speaking to me that I should gather the women for encouragement sessions.

Incredibly, He was categorical that I should gather women for a night out. I resisted for a while before hearkening to the voice and on April 22, 2006, I organised a women-only night where we worshipped and prayed. The event was at Nairobi Cinema and the outcome was overwhelming as married, single, young and married women came in large numbers.

Before long, Queens Night became a monthly ritual and every time we get new faces visiting. Amazingly, the first day I had no message for the women. At the last possible moment, the Bible passage in Isaiah 6: 1-12 came to mind. Verse four reads; Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. Looking up the name Hephzibah, I found it means queen, and thus the name of the ministry.

And do the Queen Forums have an Impact?

Oh yes. I don’t charge anything though organising, renting of the hall and publicity, are expensive. The women who came in desolate and rejected now, having been empowered, fund the ministry.

Any particular case that stands out?

There are many but one in particular is a sad one. There was this young girl who had been raped. She heard about us and walked all the way from Gilgil. She had conceived during the ordeal and she wanted to abort. I counseled her urging her not to, lived with her until she gave birth and later asked her what she wanted to do with her life.

She asked me to give her Sh1,500 to start a business. I was shocked wondering what kind of business this would be. She started selling peanuts, rented a house and a year and a half later, she is doing well; her baby boy is healthy and vibrant. Also, the very first night, a drunken woman had come in staggering. She was going through a rough patch and had been diagnosed with depression. Today, she is the pillar of the Queens Ministry.

Do married women come for the Queen’s Nights? Is it a forum to bash men?

In fact, that has been our biggest challenge. Married women are few compared to the single. Most men are insecure about releasing their women at night but there is no challenge that prayer can’t overcome. About bashing men (laughs) no we don’t. In fact, we fervently pray for them.

Are you still composing songs?

Indeed. I have a new album, Siku Njema, which I launched on Mothers Day. I also have a small shop where I sell my music and it’s my main source of income.

How did you get into music?

I have been singing since I was a child. I composed my first song while in Form Three at Moi Girls, Kamangu. I recorded my first album, Ngoro Yakwa (my heart) in 1995. Other albums are Pambazuka, Ni Kiama (it’s a miracle) and Ningwedete (I Love You).

How do you find balance with all that is on your plate?

Time is my biggest challenge since I am outgoing and like visiting family and friends. But I always try to make time, mostly for my children.

I read them Bible stories before they retire for the night and prepare them for school. I am also lucky that my husband understands my tight schedule and supports me.

Has it always been rosy?

Life is good to us but we have worked hard and prayed even harder to be where we are today. We married at a young age, and without a tertiary education, coming from humble backgrounds and with little prospects in life, we would go hungry many a times despite my being pregnant with our first child. During the darkest days, my husband Apostle William Mwangangi, would say to me, "Honey, we will make it. At the age of 30, I will be driving a Mercedes Benz." And I would retort, "First pay the house rent." He was 24 then, and when he clocked 30, he bought the Benz.

Tell us a few things we do not know about you.

After Form Four in 1991, I did not go to college for lack of fees. I stayed home for three years digging at my family’s shamba. My hands became so rough. I came to Nairobi for the first time in 1994 and my first job was at a chemist where I earned Sh2,500 monthly. I lived in Satellite paying rent of Sh600.

My first song earned me a celebrity status but no money to show for it. I married at the age of 22 years to a ‘nobody’ street preacher and my parents were not that impressed. Today they are super proud of their highflying son-in-law.

While pregnant with my first child, I would hawk my cassettes while my husband ‘hawked’ the gospel. We would meet in the evening at Riverside Hotel, River Road, to bond.

A last word?

Be yourself. This is especially to the so-called celebs. Celebrity status forces you to live within people’s expectations. My music is renowned but people are surprised with my simple lifestyle.