Singer sets his sights on radio career

By Joshua Nyang’au

Whenever Enock Omwando Ondieki takes to the pulpit, his face lights up before his voice reverberates in the church hall, "The man standing before you has eyes but they don’t see," he says. Omwando is an Early Childhood Development teacher trainee whose ambition of becoming a lawyer was shattered by the misuse of the cane at school which left him visually impaired.

But as a staunch member of Nyamira SDA church, the 22-year-old man is the darling of fellow church members and an asset highly cherished for his good voice and command of the Kiswahili language.

Steals the show

Enock Omwando Ondieki reads using Braille during the interview at his home. Photo: Joshua Nyang’au/Standard

When the church choir takes to the stage, Omwando’s melodious voice steals the show.

After high school, he joined an industrial rehabilitation centre in Nairobi where he trained as a receptionist and telephone operator.

Attempts to get a job in 2008 were unsuccessful, prompting him to start training as a teacher.

But he is optimistic that he will secure employment once he finishes college and will not be discriminated in the job market due to his disability.

"I hope to get a scholarship to train as a radio presenter because my voice is good," he says, adding that he has produced a CD of Christian songs he composed with the members of the Mercy Echoes choir — Bob Odhiambo, Amos Baraka and Joseph Odhiambo.

He has also helped Ms Sarah Mungai in composing and producing another gospel CD. With the church choir, he has released several songs on cassettes and CDs that are already in the market.

Defeat all odds

While at school, his father says, Omwando was a bright pupil before he lost his sight. His classmates, some of whom he used to defeat in class are now in university. Omwando believes he will defeat all odds to make a success of his life.

And as the debate over caning in schools rages, Omwando’s father says the teacher who caused his son’s blindness only wanted to discipline him and he has since forgiven him.