Kikuyu gospel singer Joy Janet reveals she had unfinished projects with Irene Robert
By Steve Ireri, March 21, 2026Kikuyu gospel singer Joy Janet has opened up about the unfinished projects and personal collaborations she shared with the late Tanzanian gospel singer Irene Robert, who died suddenly on March 20, 2026, in Dar es Salaam.
In an emotional message posted on Facebook on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Janet recounted late-night conversations, shared laughter, and plans for songs they had composed together, revealing the depth of their professional and personal connection.
“Irene 😭😭😭… where do I even find the courage to tell you to rest in peace 💔💔💔?” she wrote.
According to Janet, she and Robert had been discussing future musical projects with great optimism, mapping out ideas for collaborations that would blend their distinct styles.
The Kikuyu singer described the excitement and hope surrounding these plans, noting that neither of them could have anticipated that Robert’s life would be cut short before any of the projects could be completed.
“It doesn’t feel real… not when my mind is full of our memories, our laughter, our late-night conversations, and all the plans we made together. What about the songs we composed together?” she added.
Joy also emphasised the personal side of her relationship with Robert, reflecting on memories beyond music.
She spoke of shared laughter, long conversations about faith and life, and the mutual support they offered each other as artistes navigating the East African gospel scene.
“We spoke about the future with so much hope, never imagining that today I would be here trying to find words to say goodbye. 😪😪. Rest well, darling 😭,” she added.
Career musician
The late Irene Robert had become a celebrated figure in gospel music since launching her professional career in 2017, earning accolades including the AFRIMMA Award for Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music.
Her discography includes hits such as Soja, Moyo Dawa, Neno Moja, Sitalia, Hainidhuru, and Mabilioni, many of which continue to garner millions of streams and views on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.