By Lydia Njeri

Esther Arunga, Kenya’s TV heartthrob first got a taste of fame on radio station Capital FM. Audiences love her smooth voice and eloquent speech but she had to cut short her career to finish her studies in Australia.

She came back to Kenya as a trained lawyer but joined KTN  as a news anchor. It was here that she had just got the full taste of fame. Her elegance, alluring smile and mastery of news anchoring catapulted her to the limelight rapidly. Last year, she became an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Not long after lauching her TV career, Esther was voted one of the hottest female entertainers by Sunday Nation pull-out Buzz. Adored by teenagers, and christened a role model for young people, she was crowned queen of TV at Chaguo la Teeniz (CHAT) Fanta awards. To top that up she appeared in blockbuster movie Spiderman 1 as an extra.

She was not only a TV queen but had fast become one of the most sought after MCs. Esther emceed at gospel artist Daddy Owen’s album and clothing line launch and also co-emceed with Churchill at Groove Awards among others.

Sadly, all that Esther has worked for may have come crashing down on Thursday (18.02.2010) when she admitted that she is indeed a member of the Finger of God church. There’s really nothing wrong with being a member of a church. The problem is that the church has been accused of being a cult.

Led by Tusker Project Fame 3 (TPF3) judge and saxophonist Joseph Hellon, the Finger of God church is one of several churches in the US and South Africa.

Another problem is that Hellon advised Esther not to marry her fiancé Wilson Maloba. Her family claims she has abandoned them and she admitted to quitting her lucrative job at KTN, who confirmed that she is no longer an employee there.

Many of her adoring fans can’t see past her recent actions, some pity her while other say that she has lost their respect. Grace Maina a fan said, “I think it’s a publicity stunt.”

Shigare Katana, a 24-year-old accountant and model, says that she pities Esther and would not wish to be in her shoes.

But then there are those who do not give a hoot like Kevin, a student. “It’s no big deal, everyone has their own life to live and she had a choice and she took it,” he says.

In his blog, Lawrence Mwangi writes that cults use sophisticated mind control and recruitment techniques that are refined over time so the cults are not for the ignorant only but also for the learned like Esther.

Groups have also been formed online like, Esther Arunga has been bewitched and Save Esther from Hell(on) cult. The groups have 100 plus people who have joined immediately and counting. The sort of conversation taking place in the groups are startling to say the least.

Word is that Esther recently declined a handsome offer from a prestigious law firm to practise commercial law. But would any corporation now want Esther Arunga representing them? In fact, few TV or radio stations would hire her even as a reporter…not unless she pulls herself away from the scandal right away.

Will Esther Arunga rise from the ashes of public humiliation and judgment? Only time will tell.