Why I never question God despite being blind-Dennis Karanja

How has the music journey been so far?

It has not been easy. You know, before Daddy Owen and I did ‘Mbona’ I had two other albums. The first one was a total flop. The second one trended for a while; stations played them. ‘Mbona’ however did splendidly well. It was, I would say, my big break. It changed my life.

Could you quantify how much change?

I don’t discuss that in public. I can tell you though that I became independent – I was able to pay for my studio fees and fend for myself.

How do you describe your style of music?

Any song I sing is because I want to worship God first. So, I would say worship.

How did your dalliance with worship start?

The school I attended, Thika School for the Blind, operates within Christian values. While there I got to understand God in a manner I hadn’t before. I loved singing at prayer meetings. It sort of dawned on me that I could create music as a career, considering that my lack of eyesight was a hindrance towards many other career options.

‘Hindrance’ in what manner?

Not exactly. It is only later that I realised lacking sight should not block one’s dreams. It just so happens that I listened to people’s opinion more.

My original dream was to become a doctor. I remember someone asking how I would manage to inject patients without sight. I gave up on it and got something else to dream about. That happened several times: people questioned my suitability for certain careers and I easily gave up.

So, are you in music because it was your own shot at a career?

All this happened in high school. By the time I was leaving and starting the journey I was convinced that music is what God intended for me to do. I don’t have hang ups on anything anymore. I am doing well; I can’t complain at all.

What is usually your objective when composing?

I have said that I love worshiping God. That is not all though: some of the things I highlight in my music are based on my own experiences. My hope is that people will feel inspired to take charge of their space for their own progress. Like for me I could have been a beggar. God had other plans for me. All I needed was determination and He would make it possible.

You ever thought of becoming a beggar?

Yes. There is a time when my parents didn’t have a job and the family was in a financial crisis. Seeing as to the fact that I was already an adult, who should be fending for himself but because of circumstances still under his parents care, I felt awful adding to the misery. I thought of picking a bowl and heading to the streets.

What stopped you?

Thank God help came and our money issues were resolved. I won’t go into the details. But I also didn’t want to beg. I don’t like it that human beings are reduced to that level. Speaking of which ‘Story Yangu’ by Bahati and I addresses the issue.

What we are telling beggars is that God’s intention for them is bigger than that. Plus, I don’t want to be entering an Mpesa shop and the operator tells me, ‘Si leo (not today)’ because they are probably thinking that I want to beg and not to transact.

Have you ever seen, even when you were a toddler?

I was born blind. I have never seen with my eyes.

How did you discover that there are people who see and you are actually blind?

When I joined school. That is where I met others who were blind. And I began hearing the word blind and knew that there was such a thing as seeing.

Your parents never told you?

I guess they never wanted me to feel like I lacked anything. They wanted me to feel that I was fine and everything about me was normal.

Your wedding plans?

I don’t have any wedding plans (Hearty laugh). Who told you I have any plans?

Your smile tells it all. A man rarely has that kind of glow on the face...

(More laughter) I don’t know what you mean. Let’s just say that if anything happens I will let you know.

But is there someone?

Let me not comment right now. Come on. Stop insisting.

If there is no one, when she appears, what qualities will she have?

Is that the last question on this subject?

Yes...

She will be God fearing. I will also need her to love and accept me as I am. Someone who will be in love with Dennis Karanja and not Denno the gospel artiste: they will look beyond my music career and the fact that a few Kenyans know me.

Have you ever wished that you had your sight?

No. I don’t want to see unless it is God’s plan that I see.

Why is that?

Because God does not do mistakes. He is the one who created me this way. He must have had His own reasons and I don’t want to question them. If I had sight I would, probably have turned out to be a thug. I wouldn’t be here giving an interview to the media. I wouldn’t have sang songs that uplift others’ spirits.

What do you hope to achieve in the near future?

I want to do a song that has never been done before; an ingenious idea that is yet to exist.