Muthoka's painful past drove her to gospel music

By CAROLINE NYANGA

Losing her parents within a month shoved Gospel artiste Evaline Muthoka into hard life.

She became the sole breadwinner of the children left behind.

"I know what it feels like to go to bed hungry," she says.

She says although most of her songs are a reflection of the pain and sorrows she underwent, she is glad she overcame her trouble through God’s grace.

It was by sheer luck that she rose to a successful musician and believes this could be the most exciting year of her music career following the release of her ten-track album Amani Kenya.

Some of the songs in the album, produced by Frederick Mtunga at Umoja FM Two, include Amani Kenya, Tel Na Yo Masiche Ngeny and Maisha ya Wanadamu.

The album has been done in Kiswahili Kamba and Dholuo.

She released her first album Tubuni Kenya in August 2009. Her husband Boniface Muthoka produced the album done in Kiswahili and Kamba.

Some of her singles that are doing well include Tubuni Kenya, Adhi Ane Mor and Akambitha.

Evaline Muthoka. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

"I am happy that my songs have been well received by both gospel and secular music lovers. I get many phone calls from fans who say they have been touched by my music."

According to Muthoka, most of her songs are inspired by the sad happenings in the country.

In the song Tubuni she beseeches the clergy to repent and pray for the nation.

MUSIC PIRACY

Unlike most artistes who worry about piracy, she says her aim is to preach through her music.

"I am not singing for fame or money, but to make sure that the word of God gets to millions of people out there."

She has sold several copies of her albums during crusades across the country.

Born to Jacob and Dorcas Midila in Gombe village in Gem, Siaya County, Muthoka’s early life was marked with sorrow. She watched helplessly as seven of her ten siblings died every year.

She believes she survived because of she was a Born Again Christian.

Her first husband Chacha Robi Kuria, then a pastor in Getonguroma in Kuria District, left her under mysterious circumstances.

"He claimed I carried death with me because of the unfortunate happenings in my home. But worse followed when he was accused of defilement that saw him ex-communicated from the church." Muthoka says she later filed for a divorce at Kisumu High Court.

But this did not go down well with her friends and in-laws. "None of them wanted to be associated with me, making me an outcast." She moved to Magadi Soda, venturing in menial jobs to eke out a living.

　

It was during that time that she met current husband Muthoka who frequented the area to shoot videos during private functions.

What started out as a friendship ended up in marriage. Today, the couple lives in Umoja estate. They have three children. "Although I have 14 other children left under my care after the death of my siblings, I am glad that God has seen us through."

Her advice to those facing difficult times is never give up no matter what. "God is always there to answer your prayers as long as you remain faithful To Him."