With career at Judiciary, diva still gives ‘Afro-Ville’

By Nikko Tanui

Not many people can keep up with a demanding job and a music hustle on the side.

But Faith Kosgei, Deputy Director Human Resource with the Judiciary, is doing a fine job balancing the two.

The singer in her early 30s says her passion for music began in Sunday school in Baringo, Tugumoi African Inland Church, and took root while she was a student at her former high school, Kapropita Girls.

“I also remember always singing as my brothers and I herded our cattle,” she recalls.

Arts degree

The singer, who holds a Bachelor of Education Arts degree and a Master’s degree both from Kenyatta University, and a diploma in Human Resource Management from Kenya Institute of Management, recalls receiving the Ambassador of the Year Award in 2004 from Kenyatta University for boosting its image through music with her band, Harmony.

The band was composed of Priscilla Gitonga, a music lecturer at Kenyatta University, Jenifer Njiru, head of procurement at Kenya Ferry Services, and Timothy Lambaino, a high school music teacher.

The bass guitarist player says her crowning moment came last year when last year she released her first album of eight songs – Kiboiboi Rani, (a wedding song expressing happiness), Ameimgei (Don’t be Troubled) Mi Jehovah (God is there), Kiplembechonai (Liars), Kiptaiyat Naman Eut (Lord Hold My Hand), Jesu Negonech Kalyet Eng kaa (Jesus Gives  Peace), Kongoi Mama (Thank You Mama), and Ongerib lakoyok (Let’s Take Care of Children).

The most popular songs in the album are Kiboiboi Rani and Mi Jehova, which incidentally are very dear to me. The first one, I first sang it in my brother in-law wedding a few years ago and folks couldn’t help but request I record it, for the second one I was going through a difficult time and I sang it as an inspiration to help me as well as others to keep the faith and keep going,” she explains. 

Bible inspiration

The singer who hails from Tugumoi, Baringo County, says she draws lyrical inspiration from Bible verses, her daily life experiences as well as situations she observes around her.

Kosgei says she chose gospel music as the seed of Christianity was planted on her at a very tender age and it also gives her a chance to serve God.

The mother of a four-year-old girl, Stacy Tarus, who enjoys mentoring people in her singing mission as well as in her human resource career, describes her music style as ‘Afro-Vile’, a blend of African and other cultures, which goes all the way to her costumes.

Eight-track album

The fifth born in family of seven says her second eight-track album is at its final stages and her fans should expect something different and greater and many will be uplifted and blessed. 

The singer points out that it is not easy juggling her office duties and music but somehow she manages to keep them all in the air.  Apart from her work at the judiciary and music jig, Faith also reveals that she is a conservationist too and in her own little way loves participating in environmental activities such as planting tress.