Celebrated gospel minister Esther “Essy” Muthoni’s life story is a typical grass to grace one and listening to her encourages even those in the direst of straits.
Born in Githurai 44, Essy says she never managed to go beyond class eight as her parents could not afford to educate the six siblings.
Thrown into the limelight when she started singing with her sister Mary Wambui in 1989, Essy says that most of her young life was filled with difficulties including going without food.
Wambui is best known for her song ‘Ahadi ya Bwana’ which did well in the early 90s.
These hardships forced the family to venture into the hard-core chang’aa selling business to eke a living. She adds that they also sold bhang to supplement their earnings. This was due to the poverty they were in.
“My sister and I sold chang’aa. Life was difficult as my mum said she had done her best to educate us to class eight and thus could read the signs. She said we could not get lost if we could understand directions,” said Essy when she appeared on the Kikuyu Diaspora TV.
The musician who prefers to be called an apostle prides herself in church worship.
She says, “I refused to be called a musician but a worshipper. It doesn’t matter how many releases I have, my heart is at peace when at the altar worshipping.”
Queen Essy, whose command of the English language is impeccable, says her not being able to advance her education has not been a hindrance to her ministry.
“I didn’t go beyond class eight but God answered my prayers. That I could not speak in English was a challenge and I asked God severally why He would allow me to go far but have a translator in my ministry. He answered and here I am,” she lightly says.
Essy says that her dreams in her young life were limited.
“I was without a vision kind of because my sister carried me. I rode on her back and I think I didn’t visualise myself beyond her shadow. On my success, I used to pray for her so whenever she travelled, I could travel with her. I’d never seen myself as a minister at this level where I could speak fluently.”
On her music career, Essy had some background from singing in church but nothing much.
“We grew up singing in Sunday school and my sister was spotted by secular musician Joe Wamathina. I am grateful for him. The first album had the song Núú Wariho?
Essy says she started singing as a backup vocalist soon after class eight until she recorded her first album ‘We Nowe Wiki’. Her friends pushed her to her to exploiting her talent.
“My friends noticed and said I had a gift but I asked them how I could do it and I didn’t have any compositions yet. My first album was a gift since most of the songs came from my friends. Sarah Kiarie, Pastor Ruth Wamuyu and Joan Wairimu Mwangangi are among those who helped launch my worship ministry.”
Among those Essy honours is renowned worshipper Isaac Kahura for ‘We Nowe Wiki’ which he gave her as she started out. Kahura is now a pastoral minister.
She encourages those yet to make a breakthrough in the music industry to keep pursuing their passion and remain focused. She asks them to also venture into other avenues of making money as they pursue their music careers.
Essy has five albums to her name so far.
She relocated to the USA in 2010 after she met and married her husband Bernard Ndirangu and now runs the Shekinah Well of Worship International Ministries which is dedicated to prayer and worship.