Rwandese gospel artist Israel Mbonyi, renowned for his hit song Nina Siri, recently visited Kenya, where he captivated audiences with his moving performance. Despite his undeniable success in the gospel music scene, Mbonyi’s journey to fame was not without its challenges and unexpected turns.
In a recent interview with Lynn Ngugi, Mbonyi opened up about his early experiences with fame and his unconventional path to becoming a celebrated gospel artist. The laid-back singer shared how growing up in the spotlight made him uncomfortable. “I was just worshipping God. When people started to know me, I started knowing myself, and I got uncomfortable. It was weird, but I had to learn to live with it. I was 19 at the time,” Mbonyi confessed.
Mbonyi’s story took an intriguing turn when he revealed that he is a qualified pharmacist. Initially, he had aspirations to study music in America, but his plans took a detour. “God sent me to India to study pharmacy, and I hated it,” he admitted. Despite his dissatisfaction with the field, Mbonyi found solace and growth in his faith, meeting others with a similar passion for God. “I was full of church but not full of God,” he reflected, highlighting how his experiences in India played a significant role in deepening his spiritual journey.
The genesis of his acclaimed song Nina Siri is a testament to his unique connection with his music. Mbonyi recounted that the inspiration for the song came to him through a dream. “On April 18th, I had a dream of someone singing ‘Nina Siri.’ The voice also said ‘Waambie wanao lia,’ and that is when I knew it was a lyric song for me and would make a good song,” he revealed. The song, which has become a hallmark of his career, was born from a vision that Mbonyi embraced twice before deciding to compose it.
His songwriting process, particularly for his Swahili songs, involves collaboration with his team. Although Mbonyi speaks Congolese Swahili, he admits that he is not fluent in it. “My team helps me write Swahili songs. I speak Congolese Swahili, which is not fluent,” he explained. This collaborative effort ensures that his music resonates well with his audience, bridging the gap between his native language and the broader Swahili-speaking community.
Mbonyi attributes his success to his openness to God’s calling and his willingness to be used by Him. “The reason for my success is being available to God and accepting His calling, which makes it easy for Him to use you,” he said. His commitment to his faith and his music is evident in his steadfast approach to his ministry.
Looking ahead, Mbonyi expressed interest in potential collaborations with Kenyan gospel artists. Despite having no prior interactions with them, he remains open to the idea of working together. However, he made it clear that his collaborations would be limited to gospel artists only. “I cannot collaborate with secular artists as I only sing about Jesus,” he asserted, underscoring his dedication to maintaining the integrity of his message.
Israel Mbonyi’s journey from pharmacy to gospel music is a compelling narrative of faith, resilience, and divine guidance. His story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating how staying true to one’s calling and embracing God’s plan can lead to extraordinary success and fulfillment. As he continues to impact lives through his music, Mbonyi’s testimony remains a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and dedication.
