Memorial service held after tragic passing of Kigooco singer Chege Wa Willy’s father
By Steve Ireri, February 22, 2026The very first memorial has been held following the tragic passing of renowned minister of the gospel Archbishop Johannah Willy, who is the father of Kikuyu gospel singer Chege Wa Willy.
The memorial, which was attended by a host of singers and preachers, was held at Jesus Priesthood Church, Bahati, on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In a video shared by Karangu Muraya on Facebook, members of the church are seen singing sorrowful hymns and bowing down near the front altar, where a large photo of Bishop Johannah had been placed between softly glowing candles.
The service began with the sharing of deeply emotional tributes, as members of the church reflected on the life Johannah had lived, before wrapping up with a solemn session where they made donations to support his burial arrangements.
Burial meeting
In a Facebook post by Cukura ya Nairobi on Thursday, February 19, 2026, a host of Kikuyu gospel singers and ministers of the gospel were seen streaming into the hotel’s conference room, where everything had been set for the emotional event.
Archbishop Johannah was popular for many things, including being the father of revered Akorino songstress Sarah Wambui Kimunyi and one of the founders of the Jesus Priesthood Church, Bahati.
Untimely passing
Regarding Archbishop Johannah’s health, one of his sons narrated in an emotional update that the family was not very aware of his illness journey throughout their childhood.
He explained that their father was often getting sick, recalling that the first time he was admitted to a hospital was in 1996, and whoever took him at that time faced a lot of pressure because he never wanted to go.
He added that their father later told them about life in the hospital and how he became friends with many doctors, sometimes waking them at 3 a.m. to pray with him.
“Our father, since we were children, we were not very aware of his illness journey. He often got sick, and I remember the first time he was admitted to a hospital was in 1996. At that time, whoever took him faced a lot of pressure because he never wanted to be hospitalised. Later, our father told us about life in the hospital and how he became friends with many doctors, sometimes waking them up at 3 a.m. to pray with him,” he shared.
The son further revealed that Archbishop Johannah did not have a long-term illness history, but in recent weeks, he endured a lot of suffering.
He used to go to the hospital frequently until he became frail. According to the son, he was admitted to the hospital the previous Sunday and spent only a week there before passing on.
“We don’t have a long history of his illness, but in recent weeks, he endured a lot of suffering. He frequently went to the hospital until he became frail. He was admitted the previous Sunday and spent only a week there before passing on,” he added.
Officially, Archbishop Johannah went to be with the Lord on February 17, 2026.