By Prudence Minayo
The gospel music industry in Kenya is alive with talented musicians and songwriters like Gloria Muliro. Through her inspirational music, she has grown to be a household name in Kenya and the neighboring countries.
Gloria’s journey to fame was not an easy one but she never gave up. She is now one of the most bankable artist in Kenya.
Age
The gospel musician was born on 1st April 1980.
Education
It is not clear where she went to school but Gloria Muliro is a trained teacher. She quit teaching after some time to concentrate on her passion which is music.
Early Life
Gloria Owendi Muliro was born and raised in Emuhaya, Western Kenya in an impoverished background. She was born to the late David Muliro and Joice Asami. The singer and her siblings lost their mother at an early age. Their upbringing was difficult. Janet, her elder sister led her to Christ and she learnt how to pray from the same sister. At some point, she worked as a house help to make ends meet and the salary was only Ksh1300 per month.
Career
Gloria is a singer who has worked hard to reach where she is today. The song that gained her popularity was “Omwami Aletsa” (My God will come). The song, released in 2005, was an enormous success in Kenya. It was played in radio stations and aired on television years after its release.
The gospel artist went on to release a number of other hit songs and did collaborations with other musicians. The song “Sitolia” (I won’t cry) which she did in collaboration with the then upcoming gospel musician Willy Paul was also a massive success. The song received massive airplay and was praised by many around the country.
Other songs by Gloria Muliro include:
- Ndiyo yako (your yes)
- Narudisha (I am returning)
- Nani Kama Wewe ( Who is like you)
- Nakuhitaji (I need you)
- Mambo yote (all things)
- Mary did you know
- Kibali (favor)
- I will follow
- Mungu ni Mungu (God is God)
- Msaidizi (Helper)
- Look to Jesus
- Amini (Believe)
She has toured the world to spread the good word through her angelic voice.
The song “Wema” which she collaborated with Willy Paul received mixed reactions from Kenyans. Her fans wondered why she collaborated with Willy who had gone secular . In response Gloria said the song had been recorded long before Paul went secular.
“ I have been asked these questions many times since the song was released. Let me make it clear, this is not a recent song, we recorded it a long time ago, about three years ago before Willy started doing the other songs (Secular),” Gloria was quoted by Nairobi News on 25th January 2019.
Gloria YouTube channel with over 77k subscribers and 16 million views where she shares some of her music.
Awards and nominations
- Best Gospel female artist in Kenya for two consecutive times for the song “Sitolia.” (Mwafaka Awards)
- Nomination for the 2016 Kora Awards in the Inspirational Music Category.
- 6 nominations for the 2018 Groove Awards, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, twice under the praise and worship Song of the Year, Collabo of the Year and Western Counties Song of the Year categories.
Marriage
In 2009, the celebrated gospel musician married Pastor Eric Omba Miko who was also her manager. The two stayed together for five years with Gloria saying the marriage was abusive. Her husband would have affairs, use her earnings and even became abusive. She persevered with the hopes that the marriage would work out but that did not happen.
In a past interview with KTN’s Tukuza, she confirmed that the marriage was indeed over.
Philanthropy
The award winning singer is involved in a number of charities. One of them is helping orphaned children by starting a children’s home, Gloria Muliro Foundation. She had also been involved in the Ajiri Dada Initiative which helps the marginalized and poor by promoting services like health care.
