Gospel singer Guardian Angel on life from the Kenyan streets to the mic

When former President Moi approved a rehabilitation plan for all the streets families in Kenya's major towns including Nairobi, one of the young, homeless children caught in the swoop was Audiphaxad Peter, a former street urchin who is now one of the most promising singers in the local gospel industry, Guardian Angel.

"I was nine years old when it all happened. I was lying in one of my favourite spots along Kijabe Street when a man grabbed and tossed me into a City Council van that was parked nearby. All I remember thereafter is a month-long struggle in the cells at the Central police station," he tells Pulse.

It was while at the Central police station that Audiphaxad chose to seek God. Having been raised by a single mother and having been forced to live on the streets due to unavoidable circumstances at home, God was his only solace."

"I was taken to Ahadi Children's Home, where I stayed for five years. It was while at the children's home where I discovered I was gifted in music as a drummer," he says of his musical journey.

Throughout his primary and secondary school years, he was a staunch member of the music team where he would participate up to national level. It was while in Form One that Audiphaxad discovered he could sing and composed his first song.

"While in Form Two a friend saw me perform at a church in Mwiki, Kasarani and took me to a local recording studio where I recorded my second song. In Form Three I did my third song, which I released in 2012 after high school," he adds.

Guardian Angel describes his music as music of the soul that seeks to encourage people to believe in God. He says gospel music was his only option to stay away from vices, since he became born-again at an early age.

Guardian Angel asserts that local showbiz is infiltrated with numerous phony outfits that prey on upcoming artistes; he is grateful that he met videographer J Blessing, who not only managed him but also, protected him from conmen in the industry.

Guardian Angel is however, unhappy about how some gospel artistes takes matters of faith lightly. He views it as mockery of God.

"Many gospel artistes often get carried away with the hype of showbiz and would do anything to please their fans and not God," says this artiste whose debut on the showbiz scene was back in 2012 with the song Amazing Grace.

"However, I wouldn't judge gospel artistes who choose to be showy as it is not practical to stick to the same lifestyle. But the Bible says humble yourself and God will lift you up. Pride comes before a fall," he adds.

Some of Guardian Angel's popular songs include Glorious, Uskonde, Liweliwe and Pendo, which is his latest jam.