Artists Stephen Kasolo, Masekete lead Sh800k fundraiser for troubled singer Irene Tesh [Photo: Courtesy]
Gospel musicians Stephen Kasolo and Jackson Mutinda Masekete have rallied fellow artistes and fans to support Kamba singer Irene Tesh following her revelations about challenges in her marriage.
The two musicians mobilised support for Tesh during a fundraising session held on TikTok Live on Sunday night, November 1, with the campaign raising KSh800,000 by the time of publication.
The initiative followed an earlier appeal by Kasolo, who urged fellow musicians and their followers to make time for the fundraiser and avoid scheduling competing live sessions.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Kasolo called on members of the Kamba gospel music fraternity to unite behind Tesh.
“Mlisema tuingililie saa moja tusipate Mkamba mwingine ako live tukiwa live kwa shughuli ya huyu Irene Tesh, please. Twikei nesa,” he wrote.
The fundraiser comes days after Tesh opened up about challenges she allegedly experienced during her marriage in a series of emotional interviews with local media platforms.
The singer claimed her former husband restricted her participation in church activities, including leading praise and worship, attending crusades and taking part in overnight prayer meetings.
She also alleged that she was prevented from recording music in studios, limiting her ability to pursue her career as a gospel musician.
Tesh further spoke about how the relationship affected her independence and musical ambitions, claiming she was expected to prioritise her responsibilities as a wife at the expense of her music career.
Kasolo and Tesh previously collaborated on the hit song Kyama, released in 2021.
In a Facebook update following the fundraiser, Kasolo thanked those who had participated in the initiative.