With a delightful voice, Kestin Mbogo is synonymous with power packed praise songs and medleys, most notably “Damu,” “Worthy Of My Praise,” “Usifiwe,” and select ICC Imara praise medleys.
From how vibrant she sings, you can tell Kestin is not only passionate for gospel music, but also committed to the message she puts across in her songs. She sings praise with such a joyful cheer, adorning it the more with some light church dance.
Testament to her gift in praise music, one of her best songs yet, “Worthy Of My Praise” is a favorite pick for praise sets across churches in Kenya.
Not only does Kestin excel in praise, but in worship as well, with songs like “Nimepakwa” being popular among the Pentecostal audience.
The artist debuted in 2020 with “Ahadi,” sung in collaboration with Sounds of Worship band, and has remained active in gospel music since then.
Kestin Mbogo’s bio
| Full Name | Kestin Mbogo |
| Former alias | Kes Mbogoh |
| Birthday date | August 4 |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Mark Kiptoo |
| Home county | Meru County |
| Alma matter | Kenyatta University |
| Profession | Singer/songwriter, worship leader at ICC Nairobi, former music instructor in reputable institutions |
Marriage
Kestin Mbogo is married to Mark Kiptoo whom she gushes and swoons over severally on social media. Surprisingly, Kestin and Mark met on social media, when Mark saw a Facebook post of Kestin ministering, and having liked her, sent a dm.
Though their first date was not easy going, Kestin would eventually start to admire Mark on subsequent dates for his humility and godliness.
The two are a match-made in heaven with Kestin detailing how even before she became a fiancee revered Mark’s opinion before making important decisions. One such instance was when she needed to upgrade her car and had identified second hand Mercedes Benz that she could afford.
He however, managed to convince her to keep waiting, to which a disappointed Kestin agreed because she knew that deep down, Mark wanted what was best for her.
On their wedding day, Mark surprised Kestin with a brand new Mercedes Benz which made headlines. Mark Kiptoo has also been essential to Kestin’s ministry because he prays over her before her performances, taking the role of priesthood in his home very seriously.
Kestin Mbogo’s journey in music
“I never knew how to sing…I was singing off-key…”
Kestin Mbogo on an interview on KUTV’s Church O’clock. Source: YouTube
That’s the look of Kestin Mbogo’s humble beginnings as a musician, before she discovered her gift and honed her musical skills. She had been involved in music in a high school a capella, but her musical journey really took off after completion of high school, when she joined her local church – GGV Meru’s music ministry.
Key to Kestin Mbogo’s growth in music was the influence of Bishop Kariuki of GGV church in Meru, who mentored her, right from singing off-key to realizing her gift. Kestin attests to how Bishop Kariuki would challenge her to sing songs from world renown artists like Sinach and Hillsong United.
Kestin remained devoted to the music ministry at GGV, despite facing several financial setbacks. The artist recalls a time their house was locked on a Christmas day, due to rent arrears accruing close to a year. At the time, she says she only had one particular outfit for church. But she was unmoved by these challenges.
Our minds back then weren’t fixed on material things, I wasn’t moved by such things. I was OK, as long I sung.
Kestin Mbogo on financial challenges faced, on an interview with Kaka Bonnie on YouTube
With time, Kestin grew in music, and interacted with other musicians and worship leaders.
Studying music at Kenyatta University
“When I joined KU, I had joined to do theater arts, then I discovered there is a music degree…”
Kestin Mbogo on an interview on KUTV’s Church O’clock. Source: YouTube
“So I went and talked to my Bishop because no one understands when someone says ‘I want to do a music degree’…”
After high school, Kestin enrolled for a course at a local institution. She would later on receive a scholarship through professor Olive Mugenda to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre, Arts and Film Technology at Kenyatta University.
Upon admission, she discovered that the university offered a Bachelor’s degree in music, and that being her passion, she was dedicated to pursue it.
She began with a diploma in Music from 2012 to 2014 where she graduated with a distinction and then took on undergraduate studies from 2015 to 2020 at Kenyatta University.
Kestin Mbogo’s former years in Kenyatta University were, however, not a bed of roses. She recounts a season where she could barely afford a decent meal nor a place to sleep. A friend studying engineering would offer her a place to sleep but her light was truly at the end of the tunnel.
Career as a music instructor
During the course of her undergraduate studies, Kestin Mbogo began working as an assistant in the entertainment office at Kenyatta University for a period of 1 year and 1 month. She went on to work as a Peripatetic Music Teacher at Almasi International School and Braeburn Imani International School in 2018.
On top of that, she was a Music Instructor at Lavington United Church. It was not until January 2019 that she would join ICC (International Christian Center) where she currently serves as a worship leader.
Debut and going viral
While ministering at GGV church in Meru, Kestin met Davis Kiarie, a worship leader at the then Nairobi Gospel Assemblies, who had been invited to play the saxophone on a worship seession at GGV.
is how she met Davis Kiarie. May 2018 Yesu Pekee. Sept 2020 Ahadi.
Having ministered with Kestin and seen her musical gift, Davis was inspired to work on a song with her. He told Kestin about the idea to which she immediately accepted. Together, they worked on the song ‘Yesu Pekee’, released on May 2018.
This was Kestin’s debut – her first musical production. At the time, she battled with accepting she could be used of God for such an undertaking.
“I didn’t think that I was good enough to sing a song, shoot a music video and for it to minister to thousands of people. I thought that was only for specific people.”
Kestin Mbogo while on an interview on KUTV on YouTube
Kestin Mbogo went on to join Sounds of Worship band, which was led by James Kahero. She served in the band for 7 years as a songwriter and member. During her tenure in the band, she wrote the song “Ahadi”.
On a Sunday afternoon at GGV, Kestin sat in the sanctuary reflecting on her life, particularly the hurdles it had thrown at her. She reflected on past moments of lack while battling uncertainty regarding her ministry and where it was headed.
It was at that moment that the song “Ahadi” came to her. In the midst of all the questioning, the song was God’s reassurance that He would do as He promised, for He is not a man that He should lie.
As a token of appreciation, Kestin gave the song to Sounds of Worship Band because they became her family and a safe space for her when she really needed it.
Going Viral
While serving at ICC Imara Daima, Kestin emerged as a lively worship leader, particularly excelling in praise songs. In 2021, the church released a praise medley, mashing up popular praise songs with a savoury touch of live production music. The medley saw Kestin rise in popularity, as worship teams adopted the medley into their sets.
In the same year 2021, Kestin released her first ever live recording at ICC Imara Daima for her album titled “This Generation.”
On top of being her debut album, “This Generation” can be argued to have been Kestin’s breakthrough album as well. On the album was the song “Usifiwe,” a song of praise testifying to the great deeds of God. This song added onto the already rising prominence of Kestin.
A year later in 2022, Kestin released “Worthy Of My Praise,” sung in collaboration with Alice Kimanzi. A perfect fit for praise sets, this song took off really well, gaining widespread popularity. On the same year, Kestin released “Nimepakwa,” a victory worship song inspired by Psalm 92:10.
In her mission of equipping the body of Christ, through worship, she has partnered with talented musicians such as Alice Kimanzi to, bring to life “Worthy of My praise,” Edith Wairimu on a cover for “Goodness Of God” in Swahili and Essence of Worship from Tanzania on the song “Damu.”
Atah in 2024
On 5th May 2024, Kestin did a live recording for her second album, “Atah,” which means intimacy with God, inspired by her divine encounters. The first song from this album, “Satisfy,” was released on 11th October 2024 and talks about the desire for a deeper level of intimacy with God.
Awards and recognition
Kestin Mbogo is a well-respected music minister not just in Kenya, but even internationally. She has made a great name for herself in the gospel music industry with people testifying the impact her music has had on their lives especially from her first album, This Generation.
True to her vision, Kestin has won souls for the kingdom of God, changed and transformed lives into the image and likeness of God through her ministry.