We are cooking and our master chef is ready to serve chef is ready to serve
ALTARS & ALGORITHMS
ALTARS & ALGORITHMS
What is the Place of AI in What is the Place of AI in Christian Music? Christian Music?
The District Jarida is, without a doubt, my biggest achievement to date. There is a specific kind of joy, and a specific kind of weight, that comes with translating the beauty of our own Faith scene into words and pictures.
It has also been my greatest challenge. Firstly, because I serve as the editor, curator, writer, and everything in between (so I ask for a bit of grace). But beyond the logistics, I feel a profound responsibility to share truth, hope, and inspiration. That is the Mandate.
It has always been the goal that within these pages, we may see ourselves, literally or through the representation of what we can become. My prayer is that you find the inspiration to create for Christ, hope for our generation and our nation, and a space to discover, learn, and be enlightened.
This is the beginning of a movement. I am deeply honored to play my part in curating, documenting, and sharing it with you.
I hope in these pages, you find something just for you.
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOAL THAT WITHIN THESE PAGES, WE MAY SEE OURSELVES, LITERALLY OR THROUGH THE REPRESENTATION OF WHAT WE CAN BECOME.
FROM THE GATEKEEPERS DESK
Ivy Njoki
Editor-in-Chief
GEN ZEAL GEN ZEAL
A D E S I R E F O R M O R E A D E S I R E F O R M O R E
“GEOGRAPHYIS NO LONGERABARRIER;WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE COMMUTE FROM RONGAI TOTWO RIVERSAND FROM KAHAWASUKARI TO KARENWITHOUTASECONDTHOUGHT. DISTANCE ISASMALLPRICETO PAYFORAN ENCOUNTER.”
Photo by: Lee Pitts Photography
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
We are hungry, and the Word promises that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). This is our prayer: that we may be filled to the overflow, serving as the vessels for revival and redemption in our city and beyond.
Here in the District, we keep our eyes and hearts peeled, watching the seasons change, discerning the times, and paying attention to what the nation needs, and who God is using to bring His desires to fruition.
Last year was the year of the rush, with over 50 live recordings across the year, a boom that honestly isn’t over yet However, we ’ re beginning to see it evolve into something more, something bigger, and perhaps exactly what this nation needs right now.
We’re not going to call it a trend, because trends can easily be mimicked. According to Joanna Neema, this can only be born from a place of obedience. So instead, we’ll call it a shifting
Where what once seemed like singular events, live recordings designed to produce albums, are now shifting into recurring, consistent ministries. Without the rush to the next album. Without the pressure to release the next song. Instead, there is a mastering of the art of dwelling, of staying a little longer, and learning to truly experience God.
Evidence of the Altar
Joanna’s 2025 Soaking in His Presence live recording, now Soaking in His Presence XP, a gathering in the room of a generation that wanted to Zama Kestin’s 2024 ATAH live recording, now evolving into ATAH 2026 a gathering of thousands choosing to Come to the Father simply to Stay. Njoki & Jaque, the incredible sister duo, whose 2025 Rejesha live is Moving Ahead to lift the King of Glory, Higher at Rejesha ‘26, that happened earlier this May.
In a bid to understand this shift, we had a conversation with Joanna, a middle child, a PK, a powerful worship minister and someone whose heart is completely and utterly sold to Christ.
I have to admit, talking to her felt like drinking from a well.
When I mentioned this observation to her, despite quite literally being part of each of these ministries: headlining SIHP 2026, ministering at ATAH 2026, and serving with the team at Rejesha ‘26, she hadn’t even noticed it.
And that’s because, for her, this ministry is deeply personal. Not a marketing strategy. It’s an Instruction you hear from God and move, without looking to the left or right
“WHEN I MENTIONED THIS OBSERVATION TO HER, DESPITE QUITE LITERALLY BEING PART OF EACH OFTHESE MINISTRIES: HEADLINING SIHP 2026, MINISTERING AT ATAH 2026, AND SERVING WITH THE TEAM AT REJESHA ‘26, SHE HADN’T EVEN NOTICED IT."
The “ yes ” is heavy
For her, every soul that listens to Nizamishe is a call to pray more, to seek God more And the secret place? That’s her secret weapon Where time with God, in prayer and in the Word, is the only thing able to carry her in this weighty, yet honorable call Where the voice of God must be louder than noise of the industry, and purity of heart must reign above all. Then, and only then, can this responsibility be stewarded well, in obedience, and in alignment with the desires of God. And perhaps that is exactly where this shifting finds its origin not within a marketing strategy, but deep within the secret place.
What we are witnessing today is simply the public expression of a private surrender, being forged daily in the consecration of lives like Joanna’s.
So no, this is not a trend that can be jumped on. And no, this is not something that can be quickly put together. This is a program orchestrated by God.
This is the product of surrender. Of obedience. Of sacrifice
Perhaps we can all take a page from Joanna’s book: allowing ourselves to be used by God. A posture that can only be built in the consecration of the secret place.
CARRIED TO THE CALL: A STORY OF FAITH, OBEDIENCE, AND COMMUNITY
Of everything that happened this quarter, one story truly stood out, and that’s the story of Tony Muasya
A man of many gifts, Tony runs two ministries of his own, serves faithfully in his church, mentors others, runs his own business and makes a mean meatball sub His story is already impressive as it is, but this past quarter? It has a lot to teach us about faith, community, and obedience
Let’s start at the beginning, born in a family of…, well, not that far back.
Tony’s ministry journey began nearly a decade ago, in a season where he committed to truly seeking and understanding God for himself, something foundational for any believer. It was a hidden place, one of quiet formation And in time, the Lord said it was time
That “ yes ” led him to join the rebirthed Adawnage band, marking the beginning of his public ministry. Not long after came the birth of his first ministry, Worship at His Feet (WAHF) Here he, together with the support of his friends, gathers the body of Christ to, well you guessed it, worship at the feet of Christ.
At the core of it all, Tony has one desire, one he iterated a few times during our conversation: to bring people to God As many as he can
Over time, Tony has built himself a beautiful community. Some of the very people who stood with him during the first WAHF four years ago are the same ones standing with him now
So when earlier this year Tony was involved in an accident, one that could have cost him an arm, both literally and figuratively, that same community showed up Fully
They rallied They prayed They gave In less than a week, over a million bob was raised to support him
And that, friends, is Mark 2:3–5 in action.
But it didn’t stop there
The same community carried him through recovery also refused to let him stay there. They pushed him forward
And smack in the middle of the chaos, Soaked was born
What started as an idea and a tug in his spirit, became a ministry unlike any other Tony opened up his living room and invited people to worship with him through one of the most ordinary platforms we use every day: Instagram
In his words, “Vitu za God zinahitaji haste ”
Obedience is immediate.
And just one season in, God has used this space for more than he imagined, testimonies flowing weekly, stories of healing, people encountering Christ, all happening in what would be an unlikely space You can catch the episodes of Soaked on Tony’s Instagram
Now, not to say he has a favourite child but Tony admits, he could be ministering to a room full of thousands, and still prefer the intimacy of 20 people, simply soaking in God’s presence
And in light of everything this year has brought, he says he has learned what it truly means to depend on God, to know Him as more
He has encountered God as Rapha, as Jireh, and even more deeply as Elroi, the God who sees, and the One who sends help
If you ’ re looking for a steward of the Great Commission, a villager in a thriving village, or just a really good plate of biryani, Tony’s hand will probably be up
Alafu amesema mskize Umwema by Daniel Manoa
“IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A STEWARD OF THE GREAT COMMISSION, A VILLAGER IN A THRIVING VILLAGE, OR JUST A REALLY GOOD PLATE OF BIRYANI, TONY’S HAND WILL PROBABLY BE UP.”
the engine the engine the engine rroom: room: oom:
let him cook! let him cook! let him cook!
I’m not entirely sure what Boaz Mwinga’s cooking looks like at home, but in the studio, he operates with the precision of Ombachi on his balcony
Known to the city as SuperMD, sitting with Boaz is a masterclass in preparation. He doesn’t just see a stage; he sees a kitchen. Before you step into his world, put on an apron we ’ re going into the Kitchen
Boaz likens the role of a Music Director to a Head Chef in a kitchen, whose primary job is to:
Understand the Restaurant Owner – Understand the Artist and what they want
Create a Recipe – Create the structure of the music.
Find his Sous Chefs and Line Cooks – Find the dream team for the project
Know how the food tastes –Know exactly what the music is supposed to sound like.
Assign roles to his team –Delegate specific parts to the right musicians
Shop and Prep the Mise en Place – Prepare everything from stems and loops to mixing files. Create the Kitchen Schedule –Organize the team from rehearsals all the way to event day
COOK – The final coming together of everything in the room.
Serve the Perfect Plate – The finished song that lands in your headphones.
With over four years of experience, multiple live recordings, and an active church ministry, Boaz has duly earned his title as SuperMD The name stems from his sharing of live recording moments, giving us a glimpse into what the behind-thescenes of some of the anthems we sing actually looks like (check out the MD series on his page).
Through this, he teaches what a true MD experience looks like, what a music director truly does, and just how central they are in musicbased ministry.
When he writes “MD” on his CV, he is communicating more than a title He is showing that he is a strong judge of character, a clear communicator, an intentional leader and steward of vision, and someone skilled in far more than just playing an instrument
It also reflects the reality that to thrive as an exclusively gospel minister, you often have to do more with what you have, continuously upskilling, adapting, and finding ways to generate income within the space It is proof that purpose should be the driver of how one uses their skills
For him, it is not simply about making money, it is about bringing the light of God to men With a strong emphasis that this journey is not for self, but for God and the Body of Christ And that same God is faithful to open doors and provide.
His greatest joy is stewardship, to see those he has worked with, and those under him, find their own wings and soar. In that moment, he knows he has done something right.
engine room: engine room: engine room: class is in sesssion class is in sesssion class is in sesssion
Have you ever wondered what goes on with the MD why there are so many things around them, what they need a laptop for? and why they have a mic if they aren’t singing?
Well, me too, so I went ahead to ask some of my MD friends to break this down for me so I can share with you and I'm gonna explain it to you like we ' re in grade 1.
Are we together?
Get your notebooks, Class is in session!
THE EVOLUTION OF THE ‘CHRISTIAN OUTSIDE’
Beyond the Sound
Last year, the District identified itself majorly through the creation of new sounds a frantic, beautiful rush to define our voice But as we step into 2026, the landscape looks so much bigger. The "Outside" has expanded
There is a palpable yearning for more, and as they say, necessity is the mother of invention. We are moving from the "Live Recording" monopoly into a world where there is something for everyone. Whether you want the roar of a stadium or the whisper of a living room, the District has built a home for it.
The Rise of the Stage: Theater Serves Theology
April saw a massive explosion in the performing arts. It wasn't just one play; it was a season of them
The Babylon Factor: ICC’s Babylon was a masterclass in scale, running 9 packed showings that drew nearly 12,500 attendees. It was a production that didn't just entertain it evangelized, with 324 people giving their lives to Christ
The New Standard: When the excellence of the theater serves the depth of the theology, the harvest is undeniable. We are seeing a shift where the stage is no longer just for concerts; it’s for stories.
The
Multi-Generational
Stirring
"Christian Outside" isn't a niche anymore; it’s a demographic takeover.
The Identity Spaces: Women’s conferences have long been the blueprint for consistency, but now we see Men’s gatherings beginning to stir, with entire ministries dedicated to this!
The Gen Z Factor: If anyone tells you the youth are lost, they weren't at the back-to-school dance concerts or the high-energy youth rallies this month. Gen Z loves Jesus, and they are bringing a hype that is transforming the atmosphere of the city
The Intimate & The Instrumental
While the masses gathered for plays and conferences, a quieter shift was happening in the corners.
The "Small" Shift: We’ve seen a rise in intimate, light, and creative spaces like Praise & Paint sessions and Bible Studies that feel more like family dinners than formal meetings.
The Zamar Frequency: Even our "concerts" are changing We are moving from strictly vocally led setlists to instrument-led events and Worship Experiences Such as Sound Beyond Song XP by Gloire Karume, a man, his voice, his guitar, and a heart desire to use what he has to bring people together to glorify God
The Digital Altar: Intercession on the Feed
The Shift has officially moved past the physical " room. " We are seeing a colonization of digital spaces that used to be reserved for mindless scrolling
The IG Prayer Movement: Led by voices like Kestin and Mark, Instagram has been transformed into a weekly prayer hub. It’s no longer just a "Live" notification; it’s a summons. Thousands are logging on, not to consume content, but to join a collective groan of intercession The Soaked Atmosphere: Then there is the Soaked phenomenon led by Tony Muasya It has become a Sunday staple a space designed specifically for saturation. It’s the sound of people who have decided that a standard Sunday service isn't enough; they want to be soaked in Worship in the Presence until their living rooms, feels like Heaven
The New Normal
From football watch parties with City Lighters to steady live recordings and logging into Instagram live worship sessions, the District is proving that you don't have to leave your personality at the church door. We are taking up space. We are outside. And we are just getting started!
BABYLON
BY ICC NAIROBI
Photos by BlackTree Studios
record-breaking 125 tracks so far this year it’s impossib the silent collaborator in the room: Artificial Intelli
But as we build, we must define the boundar
The Distinction: Enhancement, Not Creatio
The District standard is clear: AI is meant for enhance creation. In the architecture of music that carries God element isn't a variable—it’s the vessel. From the lead BVs, the band to the production team, every person positions themselves to serve. They aren't just "produc they are offering a sacrifice. That positioning carries an anointing necessary for the God to dwell. You cannot take the " man " away from t God and still expect it to carry God.
The "Prompt" Fallacy
We know the counter-argument: "But a person wrote t In the District, that doesn’t count. A prompt is a comm machine; a song is a response to a Spirit. There is a difference between a digital output generated by an a a lyric birthed in a secret place. One is a calculation of other is a translation of an encounter.
The Mandate: Depend on the Teacher
This is a call for the District to use the tools without l Teacher. We use AI for the "admin" of excellence—cle sound, organizing the files, sharpening the edges. B inspiration, we must depend solely on the Spirit o If the music is to carry God, it must be inspired b The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches us all things and into the lyrics. We refuse to outsource our intimacy to a
The algorithm might be able to predict the next big sou a heart positioned in obedience can host the Spirit
February marked a seismic shift in how the Digital Sanctuary operates for East Africa In a historic first, YouVersion launched its Kenya Hub This isn't just an office; it’s a mission control center for all of East Africa, driven by a singular, relentless heartbeat: Helping God’s Word reach everyone, everywhere, every day.
The goal is deep engagement We are no longer just consumers of global content; we are now the creators. The Hub is aggressively onboarding Kenyan and East African content partners, bringing local voices, familiar faces, and regional contexts to the Bible plans you interact with daily The library is growing by the hour, ensuring that when you open the app, it speaks in a frequency that feels like home.
For the Visionaries & Content Creators: If you carry a word or a message for this generation, the door is open
[Click Here to Explore Content Partnership]
For the Local Church: YouVersion is now the ultimate resource for your congregation Through the app, you can officially register your church, allowing it to appear on the global map Imagine your church-led Bible plans and curated content being accessible to your members (and the world) directly on their phones
If you don’t have the Bible App yet, now is the time It is no longer just a global app; it is ours Download it, find the familiar faces of the District, and send this to your Pastor today. It’s time to get our churches on the map.
#PhotosfromtheYouVersionLauchinFebruaury
DEAD SING NO PRAISE || MIKE MICHIRA FT. GLORIA ACHIENG' -
ONLY JESUS || GRACE COLLECTIVE - FAITHFUL || KUOSHWA KWA
DAMU - WANGECHI WHITE || GLOIRE KARUME FT ALICE MUSAVULIUMENISAMEHE || BE TO YOUR NAME - KAFFI & FRIENDS FEAT.
GRACE KAVESU || YESU NDIYE NJIA - ADELITE SPENCER || IT IS
JESUS - DANIEL MANOA FT TIM GRAND || JANE ALLER - U MWEMA || MUNGU PEKEE - ANN AWUOR|| DAN KAHIA FT PITSON LEGRANDTAWALA || MOKO (HANDS) LIVE - FLOZIE WANGUI & THE BAND || ISAAC SUNDA FT. WANJA THUKU – KALIVARI || BWAMI - MOISE
BASINZA || PRAISE THE LORD! (PRAISE MEDLEY) | EDITH WAIRIMU || THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE - EVAR K & DENNIS ESHUCHI || NIKAEGRAHAM BUKHAYA MUSIC || NDUTA - WASTAHILI || CLEMENCE KIZELAH FT LANDRY MFURA - MAJESTY || HURU - CADEAU ||
MTAKATIFU - PETER MCHOMVU FT FERVENT || JUDZ BLESSING -
MAKERUBI || SHEILA JUMA CALEB - ACCESS || FLOW IN ME - ERIC
KAMITI || ANDREW NGELELO FT JAQUE GACHIRI BY YOUR GRACE || LEAD ME - PASTOR RHYMES X MOJI SHORTBABAA || UPANDE WANGU- PAMBIO FT. LEMAIYAN ERICK AND JAY MUCHEMI||
INFINITE WORSHIPERS - ADONAI|| PAUL CLEMENT FT JANICE
WANJIRU - HOLY SPIRIT || NENA - JOE KABERI FT PST EMMANUEL MULE || TAWALA - NJOKI MUNYI || SHADU NSENG- ZIVUME FT.
ESTHER NISH & PADDY DANIEL || BARAKA POLEPOLE FT ALICE
KIMANZI - SIOGOPI || CELEBRATE - JANE BOSSIA || ALI MUKHWANA - NI LIPI LIKUSHINDALO || BWANA UMEINULIWA - GRACE NJERI || EVE NYASHA NGOLOMA FT PAUL CLEMENT & KAMBUA - MUITE ||
JAnuary - 24 February - 32 March - 17 April - 55
KANJII MBUGUA X WELLSPRING MUSIC - WHOSOEVER || EMMANUEL (GOD WITH US) - MEDZA || SIZE 8 REBORN - POLE POLE || PRAISE THE LORD - NJERI MATIRU FT. BRIAN WAINAINA || ALLEGIANCE S&MOTA || EROKAMANO - ELIZABETH AKINYI ODONGO (PASTOR LIZZ) || TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE - KEVIN OTIENO || DR. SARAH K & SHACHAH TEAM - YESU UNIPENDAYE || SOUNDS OF WORSHIP FT. JAQUE GACHIRI & ENOCH MWENYI - SHUKA || NOEL NDERITU -
Rumour has is it if you click the background of this page you’ll be led to the April releases playlist with all the songs in the said background
WON'T BE AFRAID || HAKUNA - GRACE KAVESU || SAY A WORD - DR. SARAH K & SHACHAH TEAM || SARAH GITONGA X SHON GATHONIEPH 3:18 || THE WAMAGATAS- EBENEZER || MANOLO - HIVYO HIVYO
In this word search
The DistrictJarida is a moment in time, but the movement is everyday. Beyond these pages,we have curated a suite of resources designed to anchoryourfaith journeyin the rhythms of ourlocal culture Whetheryou’re looking to soundtrackyourquiet time, findyournext communityencounter, orstayupdated on the District happenings, everythingyou need iswithin reach.
The Digital HQ (Socials)
Stayin the Loop.The conversation doesn’t end here.Join the District across all platforms for dailyupdates, "Kitchen" behind-the-scenes, and the latest onThe Shift.
Instagram: @imanidistrict
TikTok: @Imani District
Facebook: Imani District
The Event Calendar: NeverMiss a Beat
Nairobi’s spiritual landscape is moving fast.We’ve mapped out the "Must-Attends" soyou don’t have to From intimate "Soaked" sessions to majorfestival stages, ourcalendarcovers Nairobi and beyond.
[Access the Event CalendarHere]
Hosting an event?Wewant to see it. Submityourevent fora feature on the District Calendar: [Registration Link]
The Playlist Hub: Kenyan,Always.
We don’t just trackthe data;we curate thevibe.Whetheryou’re looking forhigh-energy morning declarations orlate-night intercession, ourSpotifyandYouTube hubs haveyou covered.
The MonthlyArchive: Nevermiss a release. Everysingle Kenyan Christian song dropped this month, updated consistently.
The District Dispatch: Imani District but inyourInbox
ABiweeklypublication byImani District,Where Faith, sound, culture, and creativityfrom across the District comes straight toyourInbox
Subscribe to ourNewslettertoday!
"Building this issue has been a journey of discipline and discovery. To every photographer who stood in the gap to capture a moment, and every contributor who lent their voice to the data—this is as much yours as it is mine.
The Special Features
Carried to the Call: Tony Muasya
The Engine Room: Boaz Mwinga, Larry Edmunds, Martin Mmasava
Albums to Altars: Joanna Neema
Thank you for picking up the District’s call and sharing your time and thoughts with us!
The
Lens
(Photography)
Nonni Muthoni of Artlink Agency
Beyond the Lens
Blacktree Studios
LeePitts Photography
Thank you for capturing the frequency of worship, and sharing your craft with the District
Share this Mag with someone, take screenshot and share on your socials, tag us and DM us any feedback you may have Stay Imanied!
