Bruz Newton: The 2019 Nakuru Incident That Ended My Church Career

Bruz Newton, the choreographer and musician behind the viral hit "Zigwembe," has finally explained why he left the gospel industry.

Speaking on the Obinna Show Live podcast, Newton described a "devaluing" system that led to his exit in 2019.

The artist, known for his deep spirituality, was once a cornerstone of Kenyan youth ministry. However, a single event in Nakuru changed everything.

The "Zigwembe" Success and the Pulpit

Newton’s transition into gospel music was almost accidental. His 2016 collaboration with Collo, "Bazokizo," was released just as his partner had converted to Christianity. The church immediately adopted the song as an anthem.

Newton, who says spirituality is "a very important thing" in his life, leaned into the role. He began performing at keshas and youth conferences across the country. But as he moved from the pews to the church offices, he began to see a different side of the ministry.

"Church is the only place we all know that God lives there, but the moment you sit down and realize the whole system also is being run by men who have sins like you; they are not perfect, you start blaming God,” he said.

The Nakuru Turning Point

The final straw came during an annual youth conference in Nakuru. Newton was a headliner alongside a Nigerian artist. Despite the scale of the event, the organisers failed to provide transport or accommodation for Newton’s team.

“A few days to the event, I received no communication. Then on the D-day, at around 8 p.m, that’s when I received a call from the organisers who asked me to travel from Nairobi to Nakuru for the event,” he recalled.

Newton eventually funded his own travel from Nairobi, arriving at the venue at 3:00 am via a public matatu. Upon arrival, the contrast in treatment was stark.

He watched as the Nigerian artist was driven to a hotel in a Prado, while his own team found the event's food had already run out.

A 6,000 Shilling Payday

Despite the lack of support, Newton and his team performed until 5:00 am. When it was time to settle the bill, he was told the person holding the payment envelope was asleep. He was asked to return to Nairobi and wait for a mobile money transfer.

“With my team, we travelled back to Nairobi and on the following day which was a Saturday, nothing had been sent, until Monday.”

On the following Monday, Newton received a payment of just 6,000 KSh via M-Pesa. When he raised concerns online about the treatment of local artists, the backlash from the church community was swift.

"They sent me just Ksh 6k via M-Pesa and thanked me for blessing them. That 2019 was my last time to enter the church because after posting about it, people lashed out on me. They told me I love money; I don’t love God."

Newton revealed that even people who usually greeted him warmly in church began to "guilt-trip" him in the comments. He has not returned to a church service since that year.

The "Scam" of Free Labour

Reflecting on his experience, Newton argued that the church often devalues artistic gifts. He noted that while pastors and bishops receive salaries, gospel artists are frequently expected to perform for free as a "service to God."

Newton described this practice as a "scam" that leaves artists unable to afford basic needs like rent or studio fees.

Newton is now focused on his own artistry, free from the constraints of the gospel industry. He will hold his "Zigwembe Experience" concert on 31st May at Vibanda Village.