Migwi to launch album that will heal lost souls

By Kiundu Waweru

He is a preacher and a gospel singer. Many have been attracted to his church services because of the messages in the songs and his live performances during the services.

It is not rare for a church service to have a worship session. What is rare is to have more than one gospel singer attending, with an impromptu performance.

This is what happened one Sunday at a church in Kariobangi South. The morning service had dragged to about 1.30pm, and congregation was eager for a break.

But the church’s senior pastor Godfrey Migwi had news for the faithful: They were lucky to have unique visitors-gospel artistes. The pulpit was then turned into a stage, with Leah Mercy doing her Uranyarara Nikii.

Then there was Sammy Boy, a young and popular gospel artiste, and DJ Muchaina, a hilarious vernacular radio presenter and a gospel artiste who created a storm with his hard-hitting new single, Endesha Gari Pole Pole.

But the man of the moment was the senior pastor Migwi himself, who headlined the impromptu show with offerings from his latest album, Ngutura Nyinagira Ngai. Migwi performed this title song, which is currently ruling airwaves, both on radio and TV, and the other hit song from the same album, Certificate.

Certificate is rather a creative way of asking God to bless him. In the refrain, Migwi sings, “ndumanira, Ndumanira ooii ndumanira certificate ya gwitwo gitonga ndumanira. (Oh Lord, send me a certificate of riches...) He sings in the Kikuyu language. Migwi’s preaching background is evident in his music. And he loves both equally, “If I was to choose any of the two, preaching and singing, I would choose both,” he says.

He started his music career in 2004 and so far he has three  albums. However, he doesn’t talk much about the first two, as the production was of low quality.    However, the recording and production of the Ngutura Nyinagira Ngai has been professionally done by Sammy Gitonga’s Dede Records. 

Tomorrow’s launch

Tomorrow, pastor Migwi is launching the album, Ngutura Nyinagira Ngai at the God’s Mercy Church, Kariobangi South in a celebratory event that will be attended by other gospel greats like Loise Kim, Wakabura Joseph, Paul Mwai, among others.

Born in Mathioya 32 years ago, the father of two loved gospel songs and respected God, but the ‘devil’ would pull him into a dark hole while in Form Two where he plunged into the bad life of drug abuse, smoking bhang and drinking alcohol.  Luckily enough, he ‘saw the light’ while still at Kamune Secondary School, quit the drugs and went back to God.

And Ngutura Nyinagira Ngai (I will praise the Lord always in my life), is a thanksgiving hit, that praises the Lord for what He has done to the pastor.

“I have come from far. This is the time we have to praise our Lord for what He has done for us,” says Migwi.

After school, he came to Nairobi to a harsh reception. He bought a bicycle that he would ride to and from Kayole to save on bus fare, and with it recorded his first album. Now leading the service at the church, Migwi makes for a good break in his sermons, which he laces with music.

“Migwi is the next big thing in gospel,” says Joel Mucembi of Jomu Music Promotions.

 “He has brought life and praise to the church,” says God’s of Mercy Reverend, Joseph Maina.