How Mordecai Maradona turned loss, hustle, faith into a rising Gospel career

Gospel musician Mordecai Maradona has built his music career through faith and hard work, overcoming personal loss and financial challenges to establish himself as one of the emerging voices in Kenya’s gospel scene.

Born Maradona Franco Ongwanyi on February 2, 1994, in Vihiga County, Western Kenya, Mordecai grew up in a family of four children as the third-born.

He attended Esibakala Primary School before joining St. Peter's High School. However, his final year in secondary school was marked by tragedy when he lost his mother in December 2013, an experience that deeply shaped his life and strengthened his faith.

Although his music journey began in 2012 while still in high school, he never imagined he would one day become a recording artiste. Initially, he wrote songs for his younger brother and had little confidence in his own singing ability.

That changed after joining his church’s praise and worship team.

“One day I sang in church and realised I could actually sing. The encouragement I received from fellow worshippers made me believe I could record my own songs,” he says.

His younger brother later took him to a recording studio where he recorded his debut song, Maneno ya Dunia. The song was inspired by an encounter at a youth prayer gathering where he noticed many young people paying little attention during worship.

“A message came into my mind that the behaviours of the world cannot give us salvation and that we need to serve God wholeheartedly. That became the foundation of the song,” he explains.

Since then, he has released nearly 20 songs independently, funding much of his musical journey on his own.

Despite the financial challenges that often come with being an independent artiste, he remains motivated by his faith and belief that his efforts will eventually bear fruit.

“I believe in tomorrow. When you do something through pain and tears, you trust that the outcome will eventually be a smile,” he says.

Away from music, he has worked in different jobs to support his family and career.

After relocating to Nairobi with the help of his elder brother, he worked as a chef in Mukuru Kwa Njenga before later taking up a gardening job in Ngong, Kajiado County, where he worked for three years.

He later attended driving school, obtained a driving license and joined the boda boda sector.

Today, he works as both a driver and a rider while continuing to pursue his passion for music.

His latest project, Ntango Nyonso, is currently gaining attention among gospel music fans. 

The Congolese-inspired Amapiano track carries a message about God's goodness, with the title translating to 'All The Time.'

“The message is simple: the Lord is good all the time. That is why I chose the phrase Ntango Nyonso because it constantly reminds people of God’s faithfulness,” he says.

While he initially feared listeners might struggle to connect with a song performed in a different language, the response has surprised him.

“The song has been accepted well, and even children are singing it despite the language barrier,” he says.

Beyond music, Mordecai is also known for his humorous side.

After unsuccessfully auditioning for the popular comedy platform created by Daniel Ndambuki, he launched an online persona known as “Slayqueen Wa Vihiga,” which helped showcase his comedic talent.

He is also an experienced master of ceremonies, regularly hosting weddings, birthdays, team-building events and other social functions.

In his personal life, he credits much of his success to the support of his wife from Meru County. The couple married in a colourful ceremony in 2022 and are blessed with a son.

As he continues to grow his audience, he hopes his music will inspire listeners with messages of faith, hope and the power of positive confession. [Boniface Mithika]