As she took to the stage to woo the crowd with her evergreen thrilling stage act, her husband Bishop Madubuko remained relaxed on his front row seat, his feet tapping to the tune of the beat.
There was a host of Kenya’s celebrated stars who had answered the call, a ten-year celebration of her musical journey that has seen her win fans across the continent and accolades across the globe.
“It has been a long journey and every step had its ups and downs. Each of my albums has its own story and highlights. But the album that broke through was Taunet Nelel. This led to significant performances in major events and big concerts all over the world,” she says.
It has been a long journey for the one-time model whose humble background as a preacher’s daughter carved her into one of the greatest gospel artistes of her generation.
After moving to the city to study Food Production in Utalii College, she met her mentor Esther Wahome who advised her to do something different, leading the birth of her native Kalenjin vernacular style that has since become her trademark.
Even though her first albums Katau Banda (2005) and Kaswech (2007) did not enjoy a lot of media review, her 2011 release, Taunet Nelel, propelled her into continental limelight and since she has never looked back. Images of Kenya’s then First Lady getting to her feet during the inauguration of the new constitution are still fresh in many a Kenyans’ mind.
On this Sunday, she was blessing the elated crowd with tracks from her new album titled Sobei Cheiso (or Jesus Is Alive).
“I didn’t choose the name. I write according to how I feel inspired by the spirit,” she remarks of the album.
“It felt good having my husband there with my fans,” she says smiling and looking at her husband who was seated by her side.
Halfway through her performance, a video presentation took centre stage, letting the whole world know it was their first year anniversary.
“I didn’t know my team was doing that. They came to our house to document but I had no idea it was for what. Seeing my good friends like Churchill, who is like a brother, made me very happy. I felt much loved to see all those fans coming to support me,” she comments on their one year anniversary presentation that featured different people in the couple’s lives encouraging them and congratulating them on their journey.
It was a year that saw the couple celebrate their honeymoon in Seychelles besides the goodies her husband gave her and today the talented singer could not hide her excitement as the couple celebrated their first anniversary.
“I don’t know how exactly we will celebrate but I know there’s something good. He’s the one planning but we’ll treat each other,” she says, smiling.
The couple’s happy and easy demeanour diminishes all doubts of a divorce and troubled marriage as was claimed by local online publication.
“We are very happy. I am enjoying marriage life,” she says as they hold hands, exchanging sweet glances.
The couple, who currently reside in Lagos, occasionally fly to Kenya where Emmy still records with her Kenyan-based Tanzanian producer John Nyika, while still running some of her business projects.
“Lagos is very a very good place. The people are very expressive and straight forward and their culture is beautiful. Sometimes I miss home especially the little delicacies like ugali and mursik,” she remarks.
By now she has conformed to the Nigerian way of life and a craving for Jollof, rice cooked with powdered crayfish, comes to her mind.
Like most Nigerian women married to moneyed men, the humble Emmy cannot hide the privileges her new life has accorded her.
“Yes, I do enjoy myself with good things but I have my own projects I run also besides supporting my husband’s ministry. I am a workaholic. I don’t cook but once in a while I make him uji,” she says.
“I have a team that runs my household duties and so cooking and laundry is not something I really do. I’m too busy running the other main duties,” she responds.
“I am a very busy person. Besides the children I educate, I have projects I run here in Kenya and Nigeria. I have music and other business interests. But my greatest achievement is my kids,” she says referring to the children she supports from Hope Academy in Baringo.
The ever smiling globetrotter- thanks to her husband’s ministry- admits her love for her new life.
“It works. It’s good. We share a lot of things. I love what he does and I go with him everywhere,” she says.
The step mother to Bishop Anselm Madubuko’s three grown children, she smiles at my next question.
“Any plans for children?” I ask
She breaks into laughter.
“They will be coming very soon…after the first year anniversary. I want two at most,” she concludes.
