Before becoming a security expert in the ‘Middle East’, Joseph Irungu was an inspiring singer who helped establish a church band that entertained people in Nakuru and Naivasha.
He attended Agape Church situated in Pangani estate off the busy Kanu Street in Nakuru and even founded the choir called christened Agape Stormers.
“It is true he was a member of this church and a staunch choir member. I knew him personally and I was shocked when I learnt that he has been arrested in connection with the murder of a young woman in Kilimani, Nairobi,” said one person who spoke to the newspaper.
“He was an inspiring singer,” a friend who teamed up with Mr Irungu to form the musical band said.The members later disbanded to seek greener pastures.
It was also revealed that Jowi never missed church.
Irungu is the second born child in a family of two boys and two girls. Many friends said that he was a very disciplined young man but they lost touch with him after he moved to Dubai then Afghanistan.
“I don’t know much of his present lifestyle. However, during our good times he was a staunch church member at Agape Church and a superb vocalist in the church choir,” said a close friend.
He was such an amazing young man who was musically correct and with superb vocals. I was shocked when I saw his photograph in the newspapers as the main suspect of the murder of a girl in Kilimani,” the neighbour said.
“The last time I saw him in Nakuru was in 2015 and since then I have not heard of him as we never communicated again,” said another close band member.
Other neighbors remembered him as a talented musician who had some amazing vocals.
“He was an inspiring musician. He was a vocalist, and an instrumentalist in the church ,” said a friend who teamed up with Mr Irungu to form a band that entertained residents in Nakuru and Naivasha towns.
“Irungu is one person who never missed going to church. His absence was easily noticed,” said another friend with whom they played music together in the church.
I was shocked when I saw his photograph in the Daily Nation as the main suspect in the murder of a girl in Kilimani estate in Nairobi,” added another.
Close friends revealed that Irungu schooled at Racetrack Primary, next to the sprawling Mwariki estate where his family used to live, before being transferred to another school.
He joined Langalanga Secondary School in 2008 and sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination in 2011. Mr Irungu’s family later settled in Lanet. Many of his friends said that they parted ways with Mr Irungu when he went to Dubai and later Afghanistan, where he trained in security matters.