Pastor, counsellor and musician at 24

By VITALIS KIMUTAI

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Her father wanted her to pursue medicine at the university, but her heart was in a different career.

It was unlike her to disobey her parents whom she loved so dearly but on this she stood her ground, causing a friction between her and the parents.

However, looking back and reflecting on what she has achieved, gospel musician Alfa Becky Sang has made her parents proud.

Besides being a gospel musician, Becky is a trained counsellor, sign language specialist and pastor with her own ministry --— Alpha Ministries International, which she expects to officially launch this year.

"At first, I found it difficult to tell my parents that I was not cut for medicine. But eventually, I had no option but to tell them how I felt," said Becky in an interview in Eldoret recently.

She adds: "After understanding what I wanted in life, my parents allowed me to follow my dreams and are now my greatest fans."

Young pastor

She made history when she enrolled at Mombasa’s Jesus Celebration Centre School of Ministry for Pastoral Training and was ordained as an assistant pastor at the Chemichemi Pentecostal Church at age 19.

In the course of her pursuing her music career, Becky enrolled at the University of Nairobi’s Mombasa Campus as a part time diploma student in psychology and guidance and counselling.

Becky has also undertaken training in leadership at the Word of Faith Bible Institute at Mombasa’s Winner’s Chapel International.

But the leadership training was perhaps only to sharpen her skills having been a head girl at secondary school, chairperson of the Christian Union, and a class representative in college.

Her music is a mixture of Kiswahili, English and Kalenjin (her mother tongue).

"I chose to sing in the three languages so that I could reach as many people as possible and help in spreading the gospel," said Becky.

When she plunged into music, many of her peers were taken aback as she had not shown any interest while in school and during her childhood. "Many of my friends thought I had got my priorities wrong when I decided to pursue music as a career. But when I made my first recording, most of them realised I was serious," Becky said.

Though she is yet to make money from the industry, she is optimistic that things are starting to look up after serious marketing strategies, including road shows in Rift Valley.

Besides her parents, Becky is grateful to Pastor Wilfred Lai and Doreen Mwatembo who have given her moral support and advice.

She has performed in various shows in Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, and Nairobi.

She has two albums – Chemi Chemi recorded in 2007 and Tilil Jehova recorded last year. Both albums are in CD audio and visual forms.

Chemi Chemi has eight tracks – Chemichemi, Yahweh, Amegusa, Momiten, Nimetubu, Mungu Baba, Inye We Jeiso, and Ongilosun.

The second album Tilil Jehova also has eight tracks. Her music has lately received good airplay in local FM radio stations, with the tracks Kas Omwoun and Amegusa being the most popular.

She draws her inspirations from Esther Wahome, Emmy Kosgei and the late Angela Chibalonza.

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