by Janet Ragui (09-0819)
It is a few minutes after seven; Joseph walks in singing while holding a paper bag and carrying a black back pack. It’s a chilly evening so he is dressed in black jeans, a grey sweater and white sport shoes. He first apologizes for his lateness as he sits on the wooden one arm chair at the front of the lecture room.
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| Joseph playing his favourite instrument |
Joseph Mwangi Murigi also known to his friends as ‘Mr. Increased’ is a Daystar student pursuing a course in community development. Joseph is an all rounded person as he has various hobbies. He loves athletics, playing the guitar, playing the piano but more so he tells me that he has specialized on playing the guitar and singing because of his passion for music.
“I specialized in guitar because in high school there was a guy called Nico who used to play the guitar and lead songs. At that time I had no interest in music but ‘Nico’ pushed me and at times I thought he was bullying me. He saw the potential and many times he would say, just do it! Just do it!”
Joseph goes on to say that he also loves reading music. His interest for music started back in primary school. In high school, he did not get the chance to pursue music. “I took the whole syllabus and studied music because of the eagerness to learn more and the passion to enrich my music.”
It was in 2004, when he had cleared high school that he joined the worship team in his church. His passion for music lead him to form a singing group known as To God for God generation. Joseph continues by saying that he came up with this idea because he felt that there was a void and most of the singing groups that had come up had collapsed. At the same time there were two conflicting groups. Therefore, “I wanted to see a singing group that was vibrant and would merge these two groups of people in the church.”
In this group they would sing various songs ranging from African to western songs. As the leader of this group he would identify people who would sing and give them chances, in the long run develop talents.
It was after some time that he and a number of the people he was serving with were called to join the church worship team. At first, he was a bit reserved. He later joined in 2005. It was after he joined the worship team, that he met Oscar Ndwarugira. He helped him out a lot to understand more on the art of singing as he would occasionally talk to him about music. This is because he had a passion for composing music.
“I also had an interest to learn guitar but I did not have one.” This did not dampen his spirits and so he decided that for every shilling he got he would buy a music book. He talks of how they had gone shopping with the mum when he spotted a song book. The mum had to leave a deposit. With a smile on his face, he continued to say that his mum was very supportive.
In 2005-2007 he joined Nairobi Technical Training Institute and was forced to join the worship team because of his deep and rich voice. It was also at this time that a lesson was offered to those who loved to play various instruments. He joined the class and ended up spending a lot of time in church playing the guitar. Playing the guitar became his hobby. He shows me the tip of his fingers. They are rough because of his constant effort to get the codes.
As time went by what he used to read became more practical and he started playing in the worship team. This consumed most of his time because whatever time he got, he played the guitar. The guitar became his new best friend. His efforts paid in the long run when he shocked others because of the chords he played.
His motto was and still is ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice’. Even though they would be disagreements between the teachers who were teaching him, he would never miss a lesson. Beginning of 2008, he bought a guitar. In 2008 after he joined Daystar, he would occasionally find himself in the piano room singing. Music was therapy to him and a way of relaxing after a long day. His music attracted many from various groups such as Afrizo.
In May 2009, he joined the worship team where he did more playing than singing. In August 2010, he found it difficult to balance between school work and worship team and therefore he took a break. During the break he continued writing songs and singing. He tells me of a time when Jeff a friend of his found him singing in the room and tells him “Erick Wainaina just started like this in his room with a guitar”.
“The many times I locked myself in the room, I would compose songs.” This was a way of channeling his emotions. He also loves writing and shares that he has now written two books. These books consist of poems that at times he turns into songs.
Joseph is very conservative and so it is only once in a while that he lets his friends listen to his music. As we wait for the wind to subside, he shows me some of the songs he has written. There is one song in particular that is full of emotion known as “Darkness has turned to light”. Here he talks about a young man who is living a life of hopelessness. It is at this time; he hears about God and decides to follow him. He starts celebrating and starts to believe that what God has promised him will come true.
At the moment he says that he is composing a song on reconciliation. The reason as to why he composes songs is so that they can be used in church for worship. He continues further to say that he would love to pursue singing and playing the guitar after he clears because he would want to impact people with his songs.
His hobby of singing has opened doors for him. In 2006, he joined Pamoja Africa Worship Ministry which is a life ministry that brings together both local and international students.
Two of his friends Jeff and Titus believe that he will go far. Titus tells me of a time when he had to drag Joseph out of the hostel so that they could go for worship night. Later on he joins the worship team and starts playing the guitar.
A few minutes to nine, he walks out of the lecture room as he sings a tune to his favorite song. Dr. Barack Okuba, a researcher in KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute) says “A talent is a talent and you do not have to do much in it”. (1174 words)
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