I was told I can't sing, look at me now, I have shattered the ceiling

Bishop Dianah Likuyany Lisero. (Courtesy)

During the early days of her career, Bishop Dianah Likuyany Lisero was booed on the first day on stage. Though she was hurt and broken, she vowed to soldier on and prove she was cut out for a music career. She talks to Silas Nyamweya about how the booing acted as a career catalyst and got her to where she is now, with successful songs to her credit.

Briefly introduce yourself...

I am the founder and pastor of the United Christians Ministries. I am also a singer, composer and a gospel artist. I am a wife and a mother to six children, four girls and two boys. I was born in Kapsabet at a place called Kipsugur in a family of 12 which I am the second born.

Despite you being a pastor, you are also a gospel artist, with hit songs, tell us more about that

Back in 2020 when Covid was at its peak nothing was moving. Everything was on pause. The world was at a shutdown. I am grateful to God that despite all the disruptions, this was the year that I produced my hit songs: Chombo, Hossanna and Imani.

These songs were composed in the midst of a phenomenon where we all had the least expectations. It was also to my surprise and beyond my expectations as this are the most successful projects I can recall.

Tell us your experience of being booed by the audience during your first day at an event.

At the early stages of my career, I was invited to perform at an event and I was booed by the audience. After that, the emcee said that the event was big to be ruined by someone like me. It was hurting and sad that’s why it is memorable to me. But I was broken. This is when I vowed that I will always continue to do perform and prove to the world that I meant for a career in music. For me the experience of the audience booing me down acted as a catalyst in my career and it got me going and here I am today. I know that mockery is the best form of flattery and it revives something in people with a vision rather than killing them.

 As an artiste, which songs have performed well?

The Lord has been so good to me when it comes to my music career. Since my first album, Bwana Ndiye Mchungaji Wangu in 2007, there has been an unmeasurable success. The album was followed by Vua Kiatu (2009) and Umenizingira (2011). That was the genesis of my success.

Fast forward, through bit by bit growth in this God-given gift, I came to compose and produce one of my best numbers, which ended up to doing so well. These are Chombo, Hosana and Imani.

The songs made a miraculous breakthrough, to an extent of it being played in national television and radio stations. That was big deal for me.

You have also interacted with prominent artistes?

I am glad to have collaborated with Boss MOG on the song ‘‘Kinga’’, I have also worked with Dr Mbuvi on Nayaweza Yote Nikiwa Nawe. I have also worked with Hilda Kweyu, Blessing Joe and Katoyi COG.

You are so passionate about charity. What is the motivation behind this?

 I have great enthusiasm when it comes to lending a hand to the people who really need it. This zeal has enabled me implement programmes that feed the hungry, educate orphans, attend to the elderly and disabled, and support other needy people in the society,

By partnering with private organisations, I have initiated, I or let me say we turn up to the communities that have been affected by natural phenomenal like drought, landslide and floods. On our turn up, we end up providing food, we build them new and quality homes alongside providing them with essential basic needs.

What experience  can you say almost pulled you down?

I can recall my songs being held by producers, after payment disagreements, whereby; we agree on this amount, then after the recording, they double-cross me and ask for higher amount threatening to terminate my piece of art. Last but not least, in the initial stages of my career I was told multiple times that I don’t know how to sing and obviously it will be a memorable experience.

What else earns you a living?

 As I said earlier, I am woman of many hats. There are a couple of things I do that earns me a living. I am a televangelist working with various media companies such as Triple P, EBN Tv and City Scope. I am also a farmer. I keep livestock and do crop farming. I am a beekeeper and really enjoys doing that. I can say that beekeeping is my passion and hobby. Whenever am free, or on a vacation at my ranch, I love attending to them and harvesting the honey. I love it because in spite of it being my hobby, I still earn from it. That’s the way I am generating my income and I thank God for that.

Your parting shot?

Don’t focus on what you are going through currently. It will always take you backwards instead of frontwards. Just focus and look upon God and after that step, you will be able to do everything through Christ who strengthens us, as it is written in Philippians 4;13 " can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". SHALOM.