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Touted as the most influential Kalenjin gospel artist, Pastor Joel Kimetto of the Great Commission Singers today celebrated 40 years in the music industry.
Kimetto’s crowning moment was held at the historic Kapkatet grounds in Kericho County where a huge crowd turned up to share the milestone with the singer famed for his hit album Kichigili.
The versatile singer who dropped a surprise hip hop album Rat Torosta in 2011 comes from a long line of singers dating back to his grandfather, the late Kipkalya arap Mochogor and father Moses Kalya.
The director at Kericho-based Radio Injili was born at Kipsabul, Chepalungu, Bomet County, in 1956 and dropped out of class seven due to financial difficulties.
He opted to travel to Kericho to be a tea picker but without an ID card, failed to secure the job and marched back to Bomet to be with his cousin.
From there, he went to Nakuru where he worked in a dairy farm and later enrolled for his Certificate of Primary Education (CPE).
He subsequently registered for the Kenya Junior Certificate of Secondary Education (KJSE) in 1974 shortly after marrying his wife Agnes.
The Uro hitmaker trained in music at the then Kenya Highlands Bible College and holds a certificate in Mass Communication from Daystar University.
Joel Kimetto has over the years managed to mentor several artists including Nigeria based singing sensation Emmy Kosgei and has inspired generations with his timeless music.
“Even a pop musician has a message to pass. But they must be role models and guard their reputations jealously,” he told the Daily Nation in 2012.
