Mary Atieno Ominde
Mary Atieno | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nyanza Province, Kenya |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Groove Awards |
Mary Atieno is a Kenyan gospel musician, pastor, and teacher whose work spans over four decades. Atieno is blind. She was awarded an Outstanding Contributor category in the Groove Awards in 2012.
Early life
Mary Atieno was born in Kirengo village, Karungu in Nyatike District, Nyanza. She was the first of nine children born to Francis Yara and Polina Ajwang. Her father worked as a headmaster in various schools in Nyanza, and her mother was a housewife.[1] Mary was born blind, but her father realised it when she was five months old, which enabled him to plan her education since he was a teacher himself.[2] She joined Asumbi Mission School and then moved to St. Oda's Aluor Girls School for the Blind, where she joined a choir called Dodo.[1] She later joined Thika Salvation Army High School for the blind, before proceeding to Kenyatta University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Education.[2] While at these institutions, her passion for music thrived after she reported being miraculously healed of heart disease. In 1978, at the age of 17, Atieno was diagnosed with heart disease, and doctors were skeptical of her chances of surviving the ailment. Atieno later said, "I turned to prayer. I knew God created me and it was only He who could heal me. I promised God that if I got healed, I would serve Him for the rest of my life. He answered my prayer. When I went for another test, there was no problem at all with my heart. Subsequent tests have shown my heart is healthy".[1]
Career and ministry life
Atieno embarked on a teaching career in 1998. She taught English and later transitioned to Christian Religious Education, teaching at Buruburu Girls Secondary School, Nairobi.[1][2][3] She started her music career in 1979[4][5] as a singer in Makwaya style choir,[6] making her the first solo woman gospel musician in Kenya.[7] Atieno joined the International Fellowship of Christ (IFC) choir,[1] with whom she has managed to produce several albums. As of 2015, Atieno had released approximately fourteen albums.[2] In 2012, she won the Outstanding Contributor award in the Groove Awards,[2] a Kenyan annual Gospel award where the public chooses winners. Atieno also pastors in the sanctuary of Hope, a worship center established in 2001 with her husband.[2]
Personal life
Mary is married to Alex Ominde, and they have two daughters and a son.[2]
Albums
- Adamu na Eva (1982).
- Hakuna Mungu Mwingine (1983).[8]
- Nani kama Yehova (1998).[9]
- Njooni Tumsifu( 2004).[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e Nyanga, Caroline. "Meet Mary Atieno Ominde: Blind, but this is how she has weathered the gospel scene for over three decades". The Standard since 1902. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Oketch, Angela (August 22, 2015). "Mary Atieno Ominde of the 'Sodom na Gomora' fame on music, teaching". Daily Nation. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ Odongo, David. "Mary Atieno's career going strong 30 years later". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ Bwenieve Digital (2022-05-30). She started her Music career in 1979, Mary Atieno Gives Her Take On The New & Old Gospel Music. Retrieved 2025-08-27 – via YouTube.
- ^ Javan (2021-07-12). "Mary Atieno Ominde; "Adam na Eva" singer's biography and teachings". Silvan News- Home of Diverse Stories. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ Kidula, Jean. "Polishing the luster of the stars: music professionalism made workable in Kenya". Ethnomusicology. 44 (3): 408–428. doi:10.2307/852492. JSTOR 852492.
- ^ Nyairo, Joyce (2008). "Kenyan gospel sountracks: crossing boundaries, mapping audiences". Journal of African Cultural Studies. 20 (1): 71–83. doi:10.1080/13696810802159289 – via ResearchGate.
- ^ "Mary Atieno: Ability Beyond Disability". Paukwa. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^ Akrofi, Eric Ayisi (2007). Music and Identity: Transformation and Negotiation. Sun Publishing Company. ISBN 9781919980850.
- ^ "Mary Atieno Ominde – Teacher's gift of song rises above her visual challenge – Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board". 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2025-09-18.