Meet composer behind many Catholic Church's music hits

Alfred Osonga with a section of St Joseph's Catholic Church Choir. [File, Standard]

After that, Osonga produced Volumes Two, Three and Four of different songs with the same choir, a feat that earned him promotion to operate outside the diocese (Migori). He landed in Kisii at St Charles Lwanga Kisii Cathedral Catholic Choir in 1995 where he produced a number of popular songs under the title 'Bwana Ndiye Mchungaji Wangu'.

Some of his music that brought him fame were Hodi Hodi Volume R, Mimi Mabawa Volume 13 and Mimi Ndimi Njia Volume One.

"These three volumes are the ones that catapulted my work to fame in the gospel music industry," says Osonga.

While in Eldoret, he was behind the success of Mosoriot Teachers Training College, Assumption Sisters of Eldoret, Patriciah Sisters and Recruitment Training School (RTS) choirs.

"If you listen to sweet Catholic melodies in Kenya, it must have come from Migori and out of it we have trained many young people to play keyboards, read and write music and to compose new songs," he adds.

The singer says he developed an interest in music while in Sunday school back in 1988 when he was in Musoma, Tanzania.

"Having gained that experience, I moved to Tarime (Tanzania) in 1991, where I spent three years spreading the Word of God through music. Here, I also met different people who inspired me more towards the same mission before I joined Migori Church," he says.

The music teacher has produced 81 albums with 16 choirs before settling at St Joseph's Church Choir.