From a teenage mother shunned by her church to one of Kenya’s best-known gospel musicians and disc jockeys, Keziah Jerono, popularly known as DJ Kezz, has had a journey anything but ordinary.
Born in Kapsowar, Elgeyo Marakwet County, DJ Kezz’s life has been marked by painful setbacks, remarkable comebacks, and an enduring belief in the healing power of faith and music.
A political science graduate who struggled to secure a white-collar job after university, the entertainer reinvented herself by pursuing her passion for music, first behind the decks and later in the gospel scene.
Over the years, she has worn many hats — nightclub DJ, gospel singer, philanthropist and mentor — turning personal pain into purpose and using her story to inspire others.
DJ Kezz Love for Music Born on Campus
Despite graduating with a degree in Political Science from Maseno University, Kezz faced a reality familiar to many young graduates: the struggle to find employment.
Unable to secure a white-collar job, she decided to pursue a passion she had nurtured while at university.
“While in campus, I would go to a club and get excited by how the DJs did their thing,” she once recalled.
Her fascination with deejaying led her to enroll at Swag Sounds DJ School in 2018, where she trained for three months before undertaking an industrial attachment at Club Timber in Eldoret.
“The deejaying course taught me everything about the equipment, how to handle crowds and market myself. When I did my first gig at Club Timber in Eldoret town, it was thrilling to see the crowd vibing along with me. They were all dancing and having a good time,” she said.
That first performance marked the beginning of a career that would change her life.
Carving a Name Behind the Decks
Kezz quickly established herself in an industry dominated by men, performing at food festivals, dance jams, clubs and private functions.
At the time, she played all genres of music, including hip-hop, reggae, Afrobeat, pop, classical and retro.
She later became a familiar face at entertainment spots such as Club Timber, Club Signature, Bamboo and Blue Lounge, as well as at weddings and corporate events.
The single mother previously disclosed that she charged between Ksh 30,000 and Ksh 40,000 for a performance.
However, the journey was not without challenges.
As one of the few female DJs in the country, Kezz often spoke about the difficulties women face in the profession, including safety concerns, stereotypes, and the high cost of equipment.
She also noted that the late-night nature of the job discourages many women from venturing into deejaying.
“Sometimes you are hired because you are a woman. Getting home alone after work is a concern,” she once said.
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A Painful Chapter
Behind the growing success was a painful experience that would profoundly shape her life.
In an earlier interview, Kezz revealed that she became pregnant at the age of 17 after being assaulted by someone she trusted.
“I got assaulted and got pregnant at 17 years. The person responsible for this was my boyfriend. He drugged me, and I woke up the next morning with no recollection of what happened. A month later, I discovered I was pregnant,” she said.
Raised in a religious household and actively involved in church, the pregnancy brought fear and uncertainty.
“I had my baby at 18 years old, and I was scared. The church had always taught that one should not get pregnant outside of marriage.”
She kept the pregnancy hidden, afraid of how her community would react.
When the truth eventually emerged, she was excommunicated from the church that had played a central role in her upbringing.
The rejection left deep emotional wounds.
Finding Healing Through Faith and Music
Despite the painful experience, Kezz says she never abandoned her faith.
In 2020, she began a new chapter, returning to the gospel scene as a deejay and singer with a renewed sense of purpose.
Using her musical gift, she reached audiences with messages of hope, healing and faith. Support and opportunities soon followed.
In one of the most remarkable moments of her journey, she helped fund the construction of a Sh10 million church — the same institution that had once turned her away.
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Gospel Success and Recognition
Kezz’s resurgence in the gospel industry was marked by several notable collaborations.
In 2022, she signed with 7 Heavens Music, a record label owned by gospel musician Guardian Angel.
The partnership produced songs such as Jipende, further cementing her place in the gospel music scene.
She also collaborated with Benachi on Kilele and with Tanzanian gospel star Rose Muhando on Namuachia Mungu.
In February this year, she released Ushuhuda featuring Msanii Music Group, a song that mirrors much of her life’s testimony — one of pain, resilience and hope.
Following that, in March, she released her latest gospel song titled Wanaogopa.
Embracing Islam
In July 2025, Kezz announced that she and her daughter had embraced Islam, describing the decision as the beginning of “the most beautiful chapter yet.”
She said the move was the culmination of years of soul-searching and studying different faiths.
“My walk with God didn’t begin in church, and it didn’t end there. I’ve been walking a spiritual journey for years, asking hard questions, loving Jesus, studying faiths and letting God speak in unexpected places,” she wrote.
In addition, the energetic entertainer revealed that her Muslim name is Zziah, while her daughter’s is Liyana.
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