Former Taita Taveta Woman Representative Joyce Wanjala Lay has taken a break from politics to focus on her newfound calling as a gospel musician.
The 47-year old has settled on the artistic name, Jewel, and is set to launch her album in the coming days.
Having taken a keen interest in the LGBTQIA community, her music should be a soothing balm to these members of the group.
''I heard that voice telling me that God wanted me to share the love of Christ with the LGBTIQ community.
''The message was very clear, that they've been discriminated and most of them are being persecuted. Most of them are being judged and condemned.'' She noted while speaking to Nation.
She vied for the Taita Taveta Senate seat in 2017 on a Jubilee Party ticket and secured 35,590 votes but lost to Johnes Mwaruma who had garnered 43,803 votes on an ODM Party ticket.
While in office, she championed a bill that sought to govern in-vitro fertilization.
Joyce is married to William Lay - a Kenyan-based American businessman who previously served as CEO at CMC Motors.
Beyond encouraging her and supporting him his husband sought to separate his name from her artistic pursuits by advising her to pick the stage name Jewel.
She further mentioned that nobody can exercise honest leadership if they didn't have God in their life.
If she's not in the studio you'll likely find her being a mother of two, studying for her Bachelor's Degree, vocal training, or engaging in business deals.
When questioned if she would like to venture back into politics, she has no wish to seek any elective post in the 2022 General Election. However, she entertains the idea of it in the future.
Lay maintains that she harbors no regrets for leaving politics.
This move into launching a music career comes as no shock as there's an increasing backdrop of Kenyan musicians venturing into politics and vice versa.
