Singer Sanaipei Tande has revealed little-known details about the earlier years of her music career when she was part of the music group Sema.
Together with Pam Waithaka and Kevin Waweru, Sanaipei formed Sema in 2004 and gained prominence after they won the Coca-Cola Pop Stars talent search in 2004.
They lasted for about six months during which time they released an album before they went their separate ways.
And according to Sanaipei, a Nairobi-based bishop contributed to their split.
At the time, Sema was under Homeboyz management, with Sana saying they did not get the appropriate guidance.
“Kuna mambo mengi sana yalichangia kwa kipindi cha Sema kuwa in existence only for 6 months alafu tukaachana. Kwa hii sector ya entertainment inataka mwongozo, bila mwongozo hapo unaweza kupotea,” she said.
“Ni kazi ambayo utaweza kuongozwa na wazazi wako kutoka nyumbani lakini pia katika ile industry lazima kuwe na mtu, kama tuseme angekuwa mtu wa Homeboyz ambaye anatuongoza and we didn’t have that, on top of the fact tulikuwa wachanga.” 
Sanaipei said the bishop, whose name she did not mention, tried to prise Sema out of Homeboyz.
The bishop offered to take the group to Netherlands but Homeboyz said it would not be responsible for the group during the trip.
“Kulikuwa na bishop alikuwa na church 680(Hotel), first he wanted to take Sema away from Homeboyz na alikuwa ametupangia trip ya kwenda Netherlands lakini mimi nilikataa kwenda. Maanake Homeboyz waliandika barua na kusema we will not take any responsibility for anything that happens during the trip,” Tande told Churchill.
The Bishop even went as far as calling Sanaipei at odd hours of the night but her father read malice.
“Aliponipigia siku moja saa nane asubuhi, nakumbuka vizuri babangu alikuwa anawatch news. Nikaenda nikakaa chini na babangu na akasema ‘Nope! A man of that age who wants to discuss business to call you at 2 o’clock in the morning, is not a good person.’ Na iyo story ikaisha ivo, na wenzangu wakajiunga na band ya huyo bishop ambayo alikuwa nayo pale 680 Hotel,” she recounted.
Sanaipei also disclosed that she is no longer close to the other group members, Pam and Kevin.
“Kevin sijamwona kwa muda mrefu sana alafu Pam tulikuja tukaishi kwa compound moja pale Westlands, hatukuongea sana, mara moja moja tu, kisha akahama na mimi nikahama na hatujaongea tena,” she said.
