Mary Atieno Ominde of the 'Sodom na Gomora' fame on music, teaching

Pioneer gospel singer Mary Atieno Ominde of the Sodom na Gomora fame tells Lifestyle about her music and teaching career. PHOTO| FILE

What you need to know:

  • When I was 17 years old, I was diagnosed with heart disease. What I did was to turn to my God. I prayed as if I will never pray again.

  • When I went for the second test, I tested negative and that’s when I got saved and started singing. I will sing to my grave.

Q: Who is Mary Ominde?

A: Mary is a pastor, wife, a mother and a teacher.

 

How long have you been a musician?

For three decades.

 

How did you start?

When I was 17 years old, I was diagnosed with heart disease. What I did was to turn to my God. I prayed as if I will never pray again.

When I went for the second test, I tested negative and that’s when I got saved and started singing. I will sing to my grave.

 

How many albums have you released?

I have released 13 albums and working on the latest one.

 

What are some of the challenges you have encountered?

When I started out, it was not easy to succeed as a woman and as a blind person at the same time. Men dominated the market and they would not recognise efforts of a woman.

Were you born blind?

Yes, I was visually impaired only for my father to realise when I was five months old. This was very discouraging to my grandfather because my father was the first born child and I was also the first born. He was discouraged but through God’s guidance, he learnt to accept.

This has not prevented me from moving forward; in fact I do not consider myself blind, I can do everything that you can do.

 

What keeps you going?

I know that disability is not inability. I am someone who does not like sympathy, I want to encourage the disabled that they are not lesser human beings. I have learnt to appreciate myself.

 

How difficult was it when you were growing up?

I always thank God because I did not go through what I see most of the blind children go through. Being a child to a teacher who valued education despite pressure from the community not to educate girls, he took me to school.

I joined Asumbi Mission School; thereafter I moved to St Oda’s Aluor Girls School for the Blind, this is where I joined choir. I later moved to Thika Salvation Army High School and later Kenyatta University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree.

 

What have been the most memorable moments in your career ?

When (then) President Daniel arap Moi invited us to sing at a state function. Our songs were the most loved then. We performed our own composition "Kenya Twaipenda". He bought us uniforms having being impressed with our performance.

 

What advice can you give to upcoming gospel musicians?

They should never get into the business for money but for the love and guidance from God. With God’s guidance, they can be able to do wonders.

I have always believed that humble beginnings are fruitful at the end of the day. The Bible says you should not despise the days of small beginnings.

 

Tell us about your teaching career at Buruburu Secondary School?

It was a big challenge, I was frightened, I did not know what the teachers and students thought of me.

I did not know what they were doing while I was teaching whether they were writing or making fun of me but through their love and guidance, I managed and coped so well. They were so supportive, taking me around the school compound, they actually made my work easier. From then on, I began looking at things very differently.

 

What subject do you teach?

When I started, I used to teach English but I had a problem with the set books as none of them was written in braille. I had to look for someone to read as I interpret.

This was very tiresome and I requested the Ministry to change my subject to CRE (Christian Religious Education) which I teach to date.

 

What do you do during your free time? I compose songs and have fun with my family.

 

Apart from singing and teaching, what else do you do?

Together with my husband, we run a worship centre, Sanctuary of Hope, which was established in 2001. This is where most of my church members go to worship.  This is also where small girls and boys go for their Bible studies.

 

Which is your greatest career achievement?

When I won Outstanding Contributor category during the Groove Award 2012.

 

What inspires you?

The word of God and how far he has brought me. When I was diagnosed with a heart problem, the doctors said that I would not be able to reach my adulthood but I thank God all has been well. What I go through in my daily life also inspires me to write more songs.

Not forgetting my Bible. It is my tool and instrument of Hope.

 

Tell us about your husband

He is everything to me; my motivator, my rock. He is the one who encourages me to produce and record my songs. I thank God for giving me such a caring and loving husband. He has been a true helper.

 

How many children do you have?

We have three children, two girls and a boy

 

Who do you admire most?

Renowned singer Reuben Kigame.

 

Is there a musician you are planning to work with?

With the kind of songs I sing, it is very difficult. My songs are scriptural and most singers would not fit or sing such kind of songs.

 

What next for Mary Ominde?

Nothing is impossible with God so long as one has faith. I will continue to serve Him.