Tusker Project season 5 winner Ruth Matete has been busy spreading the gospel through music and nurturing talents.

The multi-talented artiste and the founder of Ruth Matete Music Academy, the only child raised by a single father, Abel Amunga, grew up in knowing that God is the only way. In 2012, she became a national sensation after she beat other contestants in the TPF competition, to win the Sh5million cash prize.

Matete, who grew up in church, was ridiculed for featuring in the TPF and dressing in a short dress, which many termed as 'sinful'.

"A FEW MONTHS AFTER WINNING THE SO MUCH COVETED AWARD, I STARTED HAVING FEELINGS OF REGRET….. THERE ARE DAYS IT USED TO BE GOOD AND THEN SOME DAYS, I WISHED I COULD TURN BACK THE HAND OF TIME SO I DON’T GO FOR THE AUDITIONS…. i FACED A LOT OF RIDICULE. OTHERS INCLUDING MYSELF FELT I SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE FOR THAT COMPETITION. BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. IT HAD ALREADY HAPPENED… I ONLY COULD CHANGE THE FUTURE BUT NOT THE PAST. SO I CHOSE TO REMAIN IN CHURCH AND SERVE GOD… 5 YEARS DOWN THE LINE I NOW JOIN THE DOTS STARTING FROM BEHIND, AND I SEE THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED WAS IN THE WILL AND PLAN OF GOD! THE TEARS I CRIED. THE PAIN. THE HEARTACHES. THE SELF CONDEMNATION. IT WAS ALL PART OF A GRANDER PLAN…" Ruth Matete wrote on social media.

Well, in a recent interview with Crossover 101, the singer revealed that she has picked up the broken pieces and she thanks God for this far. On the day she was crowned a winner, Ruth dressed in an all-white, short, figure-hugging outfit which left many talking for days.

"I tried to commit suicide because I had never been in a place where I was required to handle so much pressure. You switch on the radio and the topic is Ruth Matete 'Call us and tell us what you think about her dress #Ruthmatetedress. '. It was really hard and i embarked on a fasting journey for 21 days but only managed to fast for 16 days only," she said during the interview.

Ruth also revealed that she tithed half a million shillings after winning Tusker Project Fame and she was called a fool. After the competition, she was put on probation for three months by her church.

"You know some people condemned me (I was called a fool) for paying half a million tithe after I won the competition but I believe that tithe is what has kept me going to this day."

Matete's revelations ignited mixed reactions on social media and here are some of the comments;

Wanyama Jan: I am not an expert in biblical matters, but what I know is that its the unmerited grace of God that keeps us going in life..not because we gave an offering or a tithe...If that was the case, then only the rich and those able to give would be alive today. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't give offerings and tithes---it is good to do this and it has its promises as the good book says---but when we do so, let it be between you and your God.

Israel James: Tithe has not kept you going Matete, God is the one who kept you going..we need to understand the meaning of this tithe we so much talk about...my question would be, did you or do you give because you have, out of obedience to Gods voice or out you feel you must

Cathrine Buina: Not tithe, God's grace love, mercy has kept You going not by works girl, by grace. All the best And rest on the finished work of Christ!

Sam Niki: Do people say when they give tithe??? Soo unfortunate, it shouldn't even be the discussion in that show!!

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