Rwandan Gospel artist and “Nina Siri” hit maker Israel Mbonyi has announced that he will be in Nairobi in August 2024 for his first ever concert in Kenya.
The gospel sensation who made the announcement in a statement on May 28, 2024, noted that he recognizes that a big part of his fan base is from Kenya.
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“Kenya holds a special part in my heart, and I am super grateful for your unwavering support. You have been number one supporters of my ministry for the last three years. The time has come for us to worship together,” Mbonyi said.
The concert which he announced through the Africa Worship Experience will take place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex along Lang’ata Road on August 10, 2024.
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Africa Worship Experience, which has organized the concert announced that tickets for the highly anticipated concert are already on sale.
“IT’S OFFICIAL!! Israelmbonyi is coming to Kenya. An unforgettable worship experience awaits on 10th August,2024 at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Langata Rd. Mark your calendars!” announced Africa Worship Experience.
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Prices have been set at Ksh3,000 for regular admission, Ksh8,000 for VIP, Ksh12,000 for VVIP, and Ksh20,000 for 1st class VVIP.
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Israel Mbonyi’s Rise to Fame
Mbonyi was born to Christian parents in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and was raised in the mountainous country of Rwanda.
His passion for music began to show from a young age, leading him to pursue it as his career.
The 32-year-old worship leader and songwriter who is rated among most influential figures in the Rwandese gospel music scene, has amassed a fan base beyond the borders of Rwanda.
He has become a darling in the East African region and particularly in Kenya with his soul soothing songs that entertains even non-believers.
The gospel sensation introduced his talent to the world in March 2014 with the release of his debut song “Number One“.
This song coincided with the release of his first album of the same name in the same year which featured hit songs like “Nzaririmba” and “Baho”.
Mbonyi continued to release more music mostly composed in his native “Kinyarwanda” language that resonated with his audience following the success of his debut album.
Subsequently, he went on to release other albums such as “Intashyo” and “Mbwira,” which further established his reputation as a leading gospel artist in Rwanda.
Nina Siri
Similarly, Mbonyi’s venture into Swahili music in 2023, through the hit song ‘Nina Siri’ marked a significant expansion of his musical repertoire and influence.
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The song which turned out to be his breakthrough hit was released on June 26, 2023, receiving widespread acclaim and resonating with audiences across East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania.
“Nina Siri” which has since amassed over 47 million views on video streaming platform YouTube expanded Mbonyi’s musical impact beyond Rwanda, touching lives across the East African community.
Following the success of the hit, Mbonyi released other Swahili gospel songs including Nitaamini” released in November 2023, “Malengo Ya Mungu” released in December 2023, and “Sikiliza” released in February 2024.
Moreover, Israel surpassed the 1 million subscribers mark on YouTube in March 2024 ranking him top among artists in Rwanda.
His Swahili songs have become big hits as compared to those he composed in Kinyarwanda language.
Mbonyi’s music is characterized by inspirational lyrics, rich melodies, and a deep sense of spirituality.
Apart from his music career, the gospel sensation is also known for his engaging live performances and his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level.
Israel regularly participates in church events, concerts, and gospel festivals, both in his native country and internationally.
Mbonyi on pursuing Pharmacy
While Israel Mbonyi who has dedicated most of his career life to music holds a degree in Pharmacy which he obtained from a university in India.
In a 2022 interview on RTV Mbonyi also confirmed having nearly completed studies for a master’s degree in public health.
The Rwandese gospel singer’s influence in Kenya is constantly rising with music streaming platform Spotify ranking his songs among the most listened to.
Statistics from Spotify ranked “Nina Siri” among the most listened songs by Gen Zs.
In addition, Spotify data revealed that Kenyan Gen Zs interact with faith-based content online as Christian gospel music monthly streams on Spotify grew by 365 per cent between 2022 and 2024.
Apart from Israel Mbonyi’s “Nina Siri”, Spotify ranked Christina Shusho’s “Shusha Nyavu” and Phina’s “Sisi Ni Wale” among the top five most streamed gospel tracks by Gen Zs.
Others were Victor Thompson’s “This Year Blessings” and Adawnage’s “Naomba”.
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