For Betty Matheka, gospel music should do more than entertain. It should strengthen faith, offer hope and leave a lasting impact long after the music stops.

“Gospel music shouldn’t be entertainment but life-giving power to God’s people,” she says.

Her musical identity blends contemporary worship with traditional African rhythms, drawing from the cultural sounds she hopes will keep Africans connected to their faith.

“I have embraced my culture, its rhythms and sounds. It is my hope that Africans will remain connected to God through their sound,” she says.

Betty sings in Kamba, her native language, and Swahili, a choice she says allows her to reach and connect with different audiences.

Her interest in music dates back to her primary school years, when she participated in music festivals and sang in the church choir. Listening to gospel musicians, including the late Angela Chibalonza and Emma Chichi, further nurtured her passion for the genre.

Beyond her musical influences, Betty sees herself first as a worshipper whose calling is to glorify God and offer hope to people going through difficult experiences. Her songwriting draws inspiration from prayer, scripture and personal experiences, as well as the struggles and testimonies of those around her.

One of her songs, *Yesu Niwe Ngwenda*, meaning “Jesus, I only need you”, was inspired by a difficult period her family went through. 

Betty recalls spending years seeking God’s intervention through prayer, including visits to a prayer mountain, as she trusted Him to help her family overcome the situation.

After six years, she says, the family experienced victory, an outcome she continues to regard as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

“When I remember that period, I see the faithfulness of God in my salvation journey,” she says.

The experience gave the song a deeply personal meaning, reflecting her dependence on God during a period of uncertainty. It also reinforced her belief in the power of scripture, particularly the biblical teaching that faith comes by hearing the word of God.

“I sing God’s word. I trust that as people listen, they encounter God and His mighty hand in their situations,” she says.

Traditional hymns also inform her approach to songwriting. Betty says their ability to inspire successive generations demonstrates the enduring place of faith in gospel music.

When composing her songs, she strives to remain within what she describes as God’s will, with the intention of communicating hope and salvation.

Away from music, Betty says her experiences as a wife and mother have shaped her understanding of sacrifice, faithfulness and mentorship.

“As a wife, I have learned how to sacrifice and remain faithful. Being a mother, I have known how to mentor others,” she says.

 hind the music is a process audiences rarely see. Preparing a song requires prayer, patience and spiritual commitment, even when the final composition lasts only a few minutes.

“People may never see my prayer walk with God, patience and time I spend before a song is released,” she says.