The life of gospel artists-sex, secret weddings and pregnancy before marriage

In his Biceps single, gospel artiste Juliani rhymes '...si mbaya msichana na kijana wa keep in touch. Lakini pete ndiyo inakupa ruhusa ya ku ehe na kutouch.' (It's not wrong for a girl and a boy to keep in touch but it's a wedding ring that gives you the right to touch.)

First forward to December 2014 and the tune has changed. During a phone interview with a Pulse reporter, the gospel artiste confirmed that he is indeed the father to his long speculated girlfriend, Brenda Wairimu's unborn child.

Pressed further on how this goes against his born again Christian image and even his musical teachings, Juliani unapologetically distanced himself from being referred to as a gospel artist. "I'm not a gospel artiste. I'm a socially conscious rapper," said Juliani.

After Twitter outrage, Juliani would later go onto his Twitter account to endorse a quote by re-tweeting it.

The tweet by one James Tugee was implying that people have no right to question his faith and was in response to another tweet by one Peter Ngugi questioning why he was attending the New Year's Eve Pamoja Concert – a gospel concert - if he is not truly a gospel artist.

Welcome to the world where gospel artists feel free to throw the gospel genre name around when it's in favour of their pocket but not when it comes to their life, sex life in particular.

Marriage has always been an open and public affair in Kenyan communities, and even in celebrity circles where every little event is posted on Instagram, except in gospel circles.

Wedding ceremonies and personal relationships involving a number of gospel music personalities are kept out of the public eye, where Kenyans only gets to know the details months later.

The personal relationships in most cases are described as simply good friendships and when the inevitable happens, usually involving a pregnant partner, the couple quickly ties the knot to maintain their gospel-like clean image.

This is to preserve the harsh Bible verse in Colossians 3:5 which states, 'Put to death therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, impunity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry.'

Size 8's marriage to DJ Moh came as a big surprise to many. The news which was revealed exclusively by Pulse one month later, detailed how the two got married secretly, supposedly in the presence of their parents and a pastor.

Speaking exclusively to Pulse a month later, the Mateke hit maker confirmed that she was married. This came after months of speculation of the two living under the same roof which goes against the teachings their faith.

When asked why the event was kept secret, Size 8 told Pulse then that she considered marriage a very private affair adding that she didn't want to go "loud about it".

"There is Size 8 and Linet and these two are different characters. My private life is just that. Marriage is a very personal and private affair," she remarked.

This sounded all too familiar with yet another gospel artiste, Eko Dydda. The Niko Na Reason hit maker apparently got married in a secret wedding in 2010 after being accused of cohabiting and having a child outside of wedlock with his new bride by other gospel artistes.

"He actually got her pregnant and then got married to her instead of the other way round. They were living in sin, which is not what we stand for," says our source.

The one thing that is common with all these marriages, apart from the secrecy, is the fact that there is no proof whatsoever, no photos or people who witnessed the ceremony, not even their gospel colleagues and even no wedding bands.

Compare this to veteran gospel artiste Rufftone's marriage to Krystal which was an open public affair. The two got married at the Kenya Assemblies of God Church in Buru Buru in a small but colourful wedding.

Rufftone was flanked by fellow gospel artists Ole Willy, Bahati, Esther Wahome, Dunco, DJ Soxxy and Jimmy Gait.

"I got married in an open ceremony to my wife. Growing up in a Kenyan community I'm yet to understand the concept of keeping weddings quiet. We understand the budget bit, but how about simply informing your fellow colleagues. Do you have something to hide?" poses Ole Willy. He adds: "One thing celebrities need to recognise is that they are role models to these young boys and girls coming up. Our parents got married openly so when you go out and get married secretly, what are you trying to hide? Do you want the generation coming to shun family values and what they represent?"

J Blessing's on and off relationship with a popular radio presenter and his apparent marriage to former secular rapper Chantelle can also be described as nothing short of turbulent.

The gospel producer and singer is said to have had the two women pregnant at the same time. Before getting married to Chantelle in front of a priest, the two were already living together while at the same time he was having an undefined relationship with his radio presenter ex-fiancée, who is said to have borne him a child.