Celebrated Gospel Artist and Pastor, Timothy Kitui is well known in the music industry for his songs in Luhya language, that are categorised in the traditional gospel music. He has gotten international recognition and often tours other countries to minister through his music.
His brand Litungu Gospel Vibes is anchored from the harp commonly known as ‘Esiriri or ‘Litungu’ a Luhya traditional instrument, which he plays. His success in music has seen him get nominated and bag awards such as;
- RIGA Awards South Africa – Male Gospel Artist of the Year in Africa (Traditional Category) – 2016
- Safaricom Groove Awards – Song of the Year Western Counties 2015, 2016 & 2017
- Mwafaka Awards – The Most Promising Artist of the Year 2015
- Extreme Teeniez Awards 2017
- Mwafaka Awards – Video of the Year 2016
But life hasn’t been always easy. Pastor Timothy was born and raised in a family of six siblings. Due to the families’ financial struggles, it was hard for them to get basic needs while growing up and he started to fend for himself while still young. “While in high school, I used to dig graves in the village to earn money for my school fees. I also remember being homeless and sleeping on the streets in Kakamega while studying at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).” He explained.
“It was through the grace of God, hard work, the spirit of determination and the hardship I went through that has made me who I am today.” He said. Both his music and evangelism journey started in high school. Despite studying in a day school, Pastor Timothy participated in music festivals and played the harp (Litungu) and did public speaking. Surprisingly, he would reach the national levels in his solo performances and be among the top three performers.
After completing his high school education, he waited for five years to join an institution of higher education. He later joined Masinde Muliro University for his first degree. “We didn’t have any money to take me to collage. I was training the choir in my church who supported my entry but I had to work while studying to pay my tuition and accommodation.” He said.
Pastor Timothy started as a clerk in a printing company when he tried his luck in the job market. But he says just like most graduates he struggled in Nairobi. “I would walk round the city looking for work and was for a while a temporary street boy.” He said. “While on the streets, I wrote the song that brought me out, Ndakhuyanza Omwami. It reflected the life that I was living and gave me comfort.” He adds. The song got a lot of recognition and won the Groove awards in 2015. He also furthered his studies to the level of PHD.
Apart from doing music, Timothy Kitui is the Senior pastor at JCC Thika. An Events MC, a management consultant and a worship leader, a ministry in which he has actively served since the year 2001. He is married to Dinah Taracha Kitui and they are blessed with three children.
He is also the founder of Timothy Kitui Foundation, that supports orphans education, elderly and widows from different parts of the Country. The foundation has also reached out to the pastoral communities of the Turkana in Kenya and the Karamajong of Uganda to promote peace among the two pastoral groups.
Pastor Timothy believes that there is a major shift in the gospel industry not only in Kenya but the world. “God is separating the wheat from the chaff. Its getting harder to do music that is neither gospel or secular. Its either you are doing secular or gospel.” He said.
There are also changes in the presentation and recording of music. Most gospel musicians are doing live performance. “Years back the DJ would play the music while the artist performs, but today we are seeing live bands and performances. The likes of Praise Atmosphere and gospel singers such as Evelyn Wanjiru, Sarah K and Eunice Njeri are setting the bar on the direction the gospel industry is taking in live production and recording.” He praised.
