Israel Mbonyicyambu, widely known as Israel Mbonyi, a renowned Rwandan gospel singer, performer, and songwriter, recently hinted at visiting Kenya by tweeting “Hello Kenya,” sparking speculation about his potential visit.
Fans inquired about the date and venue, curious if the visit is true. Since the start of his career, Mbonyi has made a significant impact on the gospel music scene with hits like “Nina Siri,” which is widely played.
Born on May 20, 1992, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Christian parents, Mbonyi showed an early passion for music, which he pursued as a career.
Although primarily focused on music, he also holds a pharmacy degree from India. He started his music education at a young age with a tutor in the Musanze neighborhood of Ruhangeri City, Rwanda.
On March 10, 2014, Mbonyi released his first song, “Number One,” along with his debut album of the same name. Initially, most of his music was in his native Kinyarwanda, but in 2023, he began releasing songs in Swahili.
His well-known song “Nina Siri,” released on June 26, 2023, was his first in Swahili, gaining him recognition both locally and internationally, particularly among Swahili-speaking East Africans in Tanzania and Kenya. The song’s popularity led some fans, including former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka, to mistakenly believe he is Tanzanian.
As a devout Christian, Mbonyi’s music is inspired by his personal relationship with God, Bible study, and prayer. In a 2022 interview, he mentioned drawing inspiration from various musicians.