Life is a journey and every human being has their own unique experiences, whether good or bad, that shape them into their adulthood.
For Bonfils Nikiza, popularly known as Bonfils (with a silent L), it was a traumatic experience from his childhood that shaped his life and influenced him into becoming a gospel artist.
While appearing on Citizen TV’s Rauka show on Sunday, February 2, the artist, who is originally from Burundi disclosed that he witnessed his father get brutally murdered during the Burundi war.
He further revealed that he traveled into the country while aged 18 years in an attempt to look for a good life for himself after losing his family to the country’s war.
“I came to Kenya from Burundi because there was a vicious war at the time. After high school, I was frustrated with losses. My family members had perished in the war, struggles were so many and I decided to leave,” narrated the singer.
“I lost my family when I was really young. My father was killed in my presence. I know the pain of losing loved ones. Growing up without a family, I decided to do something for other children because I know the pain,” continued Bonfils.
Bonfils narrated a torturous journey from Burundi to Kenya on a lorry in search of safety.
“I did not know anyone in Kenya. I did not have the money to buy a flight ticket. It was a two-week journey in a lorry and was not easy,” he added.
Ever since, the musician has grown spiritually, musically and financially and has held shows in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as well as in other countries.
His collaboration with Gospel singer Kambua titled ‘Tegemeo’ released in 2015 has garnered 46,000 views on YouTube.
