Story and Pictures by Harrison Maina

On Sunday January 7,  CHANT, a US-based Kenyan Gospel group,  released  In God’s Name, their new music CD.  The event took place at Clark University,  in Worcester, MA, starting at 6.00pm.  The event attracted over 100 Gospel music fans, who kept an enthused presence through the five-hour show.
Clad in black-and-white attire, CHANT were introduced by Emmanuel Ndangang, a Kenyan Pastor from Worcester.  He then proceeded to lead the opening prayers.

     Pastor Ndangang gives a word of advice                               Kenyan worshippers listen keenly                                         

The show started off with a recorded video, featuring three men and two ladies, all CHANT singers, reminiscing about the rough road they had traveled before their project became a reality.  They thanked their families and friends for having supported them through the hard times.  Sweet melodies followed this intro, with the well-coordinated band displaying rare dancing antics.  Their lyrics were subtitled on a widescreen, making it easy for the enthusiastic crowd to follow the songs and to sing along.  

After several hours of performance, the group took a well-deserved break, while other invited Kenyan Gospel singers gave the fans a taste from their albums. They  included Carol Mbithi, whose presence had also been felt at the launch of  Kenya Live TV in Chelmsford a day earlier;  Carol Mungai from Weymouth, and a Nigerian lady who did a chant for Jesus.  John Mukora, a renowned  Springfield-based businessman, introduced these invited singers before they took to the stage.  

Eric Kamau,Captain of the Worcester Kenyan soccer team, and a big supporter of CHANT, said he was happy with the spirited way in which the group launched their new CD.  “The sky is not even the limit for CHANT,” Eric remarked excitedly. 
 
   CHANT predicting their rise to the number one spot                       A CHANT trio- formation at work

Attending the launch also was Pastor John Wesonga,who together with his assistant, Pastor,Joel Kahora, revealed plans to launch their own International Faith Outreach Ministry , for the service of the increasing Kenyan community in the Springfield  area.The ceremony will be held on the 28'th January, 2007.

Talking to some members of the Kenyan community in attendance, ajabuafrica.com was informed that Kenyans in the United States were now paving a new future for themselves, rather than depending on typical menial employments that most of  their predecessors undertook.  The launch of CHANT music CD evidenced this noble aspiration from this very significant part of the East African community living in the US.  From the highly successful event, CHANT had clearly set a worthy example for Kenyans interested in developing their singing talents, and also to people and companies with an interest in promoting such original talent. 

In God’s Name adds to a host of other gospel CDs released by Kenyans in recent years, confirming the rising demand for  Gospel music in the Kenyan community living in the US.  The event ended at 11.00pm.

                                                                ajabuafrica.com News, © 2007