Mention the name Kambua Manundu popularly known as Kambua and see the response it elicits among local gospel music lovers.
Indeed by now if you do not know this gospel singer who has got it all: looks, personality and brains then you must be a stranger in Jerusalem.
The gospel singer cum radio and television presenter on local gospel shows is one person who bares ambition as her middle name.
With several hit songs under her cap- it appears there is no stopping Kambua very soon.
Some of her latest releases include Usiku na Mchana, Sijafika by Willy Paul in which she is featured alongside Size 8, and Gloria Muliro. Another is Tutaonana Tena - a tribute to her late father, Prof. Mutsembi Manundu who passed on in April 2014.
“I celebrate the man that he was- my dad, my king, my friend. "We carry you in our hearts always,” she says.
Kambua the second born of in a family of three, was born and raised in Nairobi.
Her father is the late Professor Manundu, and her mum is Evangelist Lois Manundu. The two are the co-founders of Tabibu Ministries. Kambua, whose love for music was evident from a tender age, attended Lukenya High School and later enrolled for music course.
She studied music:
Kambua becomes the second Kenyan artist after Benga musician cum Kora Award winner Erick Wainaina to study and hold a degree in music.
“In 2007, I completed a summer performance program (certificate) at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. A year later I completed a Bachelor of Arts in music at Ambrose University College, in Calgary,” she says.
Prior to this in 2002 Kambua joined Eneza, a Praise Band at Parklands Baptist Church, where she served for nearly four years. During the time she sung and served with Passport Incorporated, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
Through Ogopa Deejays, she began to do jingles for commercials like ‘Sunlight’ and ‘Delmonte’
This aside the singer has worked as an actress for Heartstrings Ensemble in Kenya besides being the voice for commercials such as Delmonte, Mumias Sugar, Sunlight, KPLC and recently, Fresha Maisha Milk.
“ Before pursuing a solo career, I worked as a background vocalist for various artistes,” says Kambua who has bagged several awards for her music.
In 2009 Kambua’s efforts were rewarded when she received the Female Artiste of the Year Award at the annual Groove Awards, held in Nairobi, Kenya.
She was also the recipient of the 2008 Afro Fusion Female Artiste of the Year award at the Kisima Awards. In the year 2011 she was nominated for the East Africa Music Awards, (London), as well as the 2011 Mwafaka Awards.
Kambua who has two albums under her belt: Nishikilie and Nyumbani and is currently embarking on her third CD songstress has embarked on her third CD with two singles – Again and Umetenda Mema bagged the Song Writer of the Year Award in the annual Groove Awards In 2012.
Unlike her peers in 2010, Kambua spread her wings by joining Royal Media as a television host on a Sunday morning show – Rauka. She has since worked as an MC at various concerts and events in Kenya.
Happily married to Jackson Mathu in April 2012 before family and friends at an exclusive Nairobi hotel- Kambua reveals she has bigger plans as far as her future life and music career is concerned.
“Where would I be without God’s hand?” she poses in an interview with this writer, adding that anything that does not honor and give glory to God is of sin. There is no neutral path, its either you are serving the living God or Satan,” add the musician whose music is not for self-glorification but she sings with the aim of praising and giving glory to God.
Kambua who has a fetish for shoes and hats describes her style as elegant, trendy and chic.
“I have so many of them (hats and shoes). I like to match them with everything I wear. In the recent past I’ve had to control my fetish for shoes, and have become a very intentional shopper,” she adds.
