On Saturday, a segment of the Kenyan community on X generated considerable discussion by accusing Christina Shusho of engaging in biblical plagiarism.
The acclaimed gospel artist, known for touching hearts with her spiritual songs and aiding many in their emotional healing, faced allegations that her song “Waraka wa Amani” was derived entirely from the book of Esther, with “Eeh Bwana Umenichunguza” traced back to Psalms 139: 1-6.
Other songs such as “Fadhili Zako Za Milele,” “Napenda,” and “Nipe Macho” were also cited as directly drawing inspiration from the Bible and transformed into songs.
In response to these plagiarism claims, a faction of devoted followers defended the Tanzanian songstress, asserting that she embodies a living epistle, singing in accordance with the word of God. They contended that Shusho’s spiritual approach, reflected in her biblical lyrics, not only cleanses souls but also elevates the spirits of believers to heavenly realms.
However, some critics countered these arguments, suggesting that Shusho could have employed conventional creativity instead of incorporating entire lines from the Bible.
One user, Sam Juma, expressed, “Copying the words of the Bible to make a song without even doing plagiarism is not creative. Everyone can do that. Christine Shusho naye aliban.”
Another user highlighted that Shusho’s lyrics showcase a unique talent and creativity not found in many artists. Roddie commented, “Haha … Hata kama Christina Shusho anacopy from the bible, it takes a special talent to turn those words into a song.”
In defense of Shusho, a majority of X users argued that her lyrics are influenced by spiritual experiences she encounters during prayer and Bible reading. They contrasted her approach with artists like Kenya’s Christopher Embarambamba and Justina Syokau, claiming that gospel musicians should adopt Shusho’s style of composing songs with a spiritual touch.
Social media posts echoed this sentiment, with users like @Onorpik and @GideonKimaiyo expressing support for Shusho’s use of Bible scriptures in her songs. @comradefyat lauded Shusho’s ability to transform Bible verses into captivating songs, suggesting that it deserves further study, and labeling her as one of the few legitimate gospel musicians.
