Veteran Kenyan gospel singer Mary Atieno has received a life-changing gift after being presented with a spacious three-bedroom house in Buru Buru Phase 5 by a well-wisher, author Larry Liza.
The home, estimated to be worth about KSh 11 million, was gifted to the celebrated singer just days after she emotionally shared her financial struggles during a church service.
Her heartfelt testimony about difficulties paying rent touched many Kenyans and quickly sparked widespread support online.
@larryliza1 Blessed to share the video of the house we gifted our legend Mama Mary Atieno here: https://youtu.be/dkRANf7IL1k where we can live forever. And you can help furnish the house – furniture (seats, bed, etc), curtains, cutlery, fridge, microwave, etc. by filling this form https://shorturl.at/QaY5k or contacting me. PLEASE SHARE. #larryliza #centstomillions #hopefest ♬ original sound – Larry Liza
A New Home in Buru Buru
In early March 2026, the house was officially handed over to Mary Atieno.
During the handover, Larry Liza toured the property alongside gospel musician Kambua in a video that quickly circulated on social media.
The residence includes three main bedrooms as well as an extension with two additional rooms, providing ample space for Mary and her family. However, the house is currently unfurnished.
Larry explained that he financed the purchase through a combination of personal savings and a loan, saying he felt spiritually inspired to honour the singer for her decades of service in gospel music.
He described her as a gospel legend who has “touched the souls of humanity for more than four decades” through her uplifting music.
Both Larry and Kambua also appealed to well-wishers to support the singer further by donating furniture and other household items to help make the home comfortable as Mary prepares to retire later this year.
Emotional Gratitude
During the handover ceremony, Mary Atieno was visibly emotional.
In a touching moment captured on video, she prayed for Larry Liza and thanked him for what she described as a blessing from God.
Referring to him as her “destiny helper,” she asked God to reward him with long life, protection and greater blessings for his generosity.
Public figures also joined the call to support the singer. Among them was Ezekiel Mutua, who encouraged Kenyans to contribute household items to help fully furnish the house.
Testimony That Touched Many
The generous gift came shortly after Mary shared a deeply personal testimony during a church service.
She recalled a difficult period in 2020 when she and her daughter struggled to raise KSh 26,000 needed for a house deposit, forcing them to continue living with rent challenges.
Mary also revealed that some people had predicted she would retire in poverty despite her long career in gospel music.
According to her testimony, even some individuals close to her believed that after decades of service she might end up with little to show for it.
The emotional clip quickly went viral online, with many Kenyans expressing concern over how a respected gospel singer and long-serving teacher could face such financial hardship.
A Pioneer in Kenyan Gospel Music
Mary Atieno’s journey is closely tied to the growth of gospel music in Kenya.
Born visually impaired shortly after birth in Banana, she was the youngest of eight children in a family facing financial challenges.
Despite these obstacles, she pursued music and launched her gospel career in 1979, rising to prominence at a time when Kenyan gospel music was transitioning from traditional church choirs to recorded music that could reach wider audiences.
Her timeless songs — including “Adamu na Eva” and “Hakuna Mwingine” — became widely played in churches and homes across the country.
Through powerful storytelling and uplifting melodies, her music provided spiritual comfort to many listeners during periods of economic and social uncertainty.
She also performed at major national events and for former president Daniel arap Moi on several occasions, further cementing her place as one of the pioneers of Kenyan gospel music.
Balancing Music and Teaching
Alongside her music career, Mary built a long career in education.
For more than 30 years, she has served as a teacher at Buru Buru Girls High School, mentoring generations of students while continuing her gospel ministry.
Her story reflects the experience of many artists from earlier generations in Kenya, who often maintained stable careers outside music due to limited financial structures in the industry.
Challenges such as widespread music piracy during the cassette era significantly reduced earnings for many musicians, contributing to financial struggles later in life despite their cultural influence.