Christina Shusho: My latest song ‘Zakayo’ has nothing to do with Kenya
Tanzanian gospel star singer Christiana Shusho says her latest track ‘Zakayo’ which had her trending again in Kenya two months ago, had nothing to do with what has been happening in the country.
When she teased the song before its release, the move sent Kenyan social media users into a frenzy and had christened President William Ruto ‘Zakayo’. A moniker that the president has publicly acknowledged time without number.
But Shusho says she did not draw her inspiration from Kenya. The song dropped when Kenyans were heavily protesting against the tax-oriented Finance Bill 2024 that the president was pushing to have enacted into law. The bill was eventually withdrawn after massive public outcry and deadly protests.
“Not at all, the song had nothing to do with Kenya. The inspiration to write the song wasn’t from Kenya but the Bible. I had written the song a long time ago. It was part of 25 songs that I had set to release. It was just a coincidence that when I released ‘Zakayo’ for some reason it united Kenyans at that particular moment and time. It wasn’t directed at anybody and I meant no harm,” she added.
The song is named after Zacchaeus, the famous wealthy chief tax collector from the Bible who was loathed by the public.
When he learned of the famous Jesus’ visit to Jericho, since Zacchaeus was short in stature, he ran ahead of the crowd gathering and climbed up into a sycamore tree to have a better view of Jesus.
The mother of three says she is also mulling over having a home in Kenya. The singer whose time without number has trended in Kenya, says she feels the time has come to own a home in Kenya.
Shusho who was recently in the country for a performance in Thika says she has lost count of the number of times she has visited Kenya on invitations from well-wishers and partners and is now thinking of setting up a residency in the country.
“Time without number I have been visiting Kenya for concerts and other businesses. The visits have always been invitations by partners and collaborators. I also know I have found so much grace from Kenyans, the love is surreal. Every time I am in Kenya, I feel welcomed, I feel at home and I have been talking and asking my partners and Kenyan friends, perhaps it’s time I get a home here as well. It is something I am considering,” Shusho notes.