The Best Kenyan Music | A Top 15
I recently interviewed Udulele, a Kenyan singer and producer, who’s behind the genre he calls Soulful Benga. In our conversation, he spoke about how Soulful
The culture of Kenya is rich and extremely diverse. It’s no surprise that the country plays such an important role in tourism and business.
Nairobi is a true global city, and Kenya is home to 40+ ethnic groups, from the Maasai and Turkana, known for their colorful traditional dress, to larger communities like the Kikuyu. This diversity is reflected in the 68+ languages spoken across the country.
I spent three months in Nairobi in 2017 while working for the Red Cross, which gave me the chance to experience the culture of Kenya firsthand. I later wrote several posts on Kenyan culture with Kenyan contributors and published two interviews.
If you want to learn more, explore the books, movies, music, and posts below.
If you’re interested in the best Kenyan writers, you should start with the country’s all-time favorite author, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.
Another great book is “One Day I Will Write About This Place” by Binyavanga Wainaina, a beautifully written, personal memoir about growing up in Kenya and coming into one’s voice.
If you’re into non-fiction and nature, then Wangari Maathai is a good option. She won the Nobel Peace Prize for saving Nairobi’s Uhuru Park from skyscrapers, which also sparked campaigns to protect the city’s famous Karura Forest.
Weep Not, Child is a novel by Ngugi wa Thiong’o published in 1964. Set during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, the book tells the story of a young boy’s struggle for education and personal growth amidst political turmoil and racial conflict in colonial Kenya.
One Day I’ll Write About This Place is a memoir by Binyavanga Wainaina published in 2011. The book is a vivid and humorous portrayal of growing up in Kenya during the 70s and 80s, providing insight into the challenges of coming of age in a rapidly changing country.
Three Days on the Cross is a novel by Ngugi wa Thiong’o published in 1971. The book explores the themes of oppression and liberation through the story of a young man named Joseph who is wrongly accused of a crime and forced to endure the agony of crucifixion.
Although not Kenyan, Kuki Gallmann lived in rural Kenya among wildlife from the early 1970s. This book is a romantic memoir, often compared to Out of Africa by Karen Blixen, whose former home, now the Karen Blixen Museum, can be visited in Nairobi.
Unbowed is a memoir by Wangari Maathai published in 2006. The book chronicles Maathai’s remarkable journey from rural Kenya to becoming the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, detailing her struggles as an environmental activist and political dissident in post-colonial Kenya.
Nairobi Half Life is a Kenyan drama film released in 2012.
The movie tells the story of a young actor who moves from a rural area to Nairobi to pursue his dreams. However, he soon finds himself involved in a dangerous world of crime and deception.
Rafiki is a 2018 Kenyan drama film that follows the romantic relationship between two young women in a society where homosexuality is illegal and highly stigmatized.
Softie is a 2020 Kenyan documentary that chronicles the political journey of a young idealistic activist who decides to run for office in Kenya’s highly contested 2017 elections.
Supa Modo is a tender Kenyan drama about Jo, a terminally ill 9-year-old who dreams of becoming a superhero. With help from her sister and an entire village, fantasy turns into an act of love, solidarity, and courage in the face of the inevitable.
Nawi is a powerful Kenyan drama about a 13-year-old girl promised in marriage in exchange for a dowry. Refusing to accept her fate, she runs away to fight for her right to education, challenging tradition, patriarchy, and the limits placed on girls’ dreams.
Welcome to the world of Kenyan music, a broad spectrum that ranges from Afrobeats, Benga, and Genge to gospel and world pop.
Many of these artists perform live in Nairobi at spots like GoDown Arts Centre and Alliance Française Nairobi, or along the coast in Mombasa and Diani Beach.
Beyond well-known names like Sauti Sol and Suzanna Owiyo (known for her song Suzanna with Tiësto), there’s plenty more to discover, so check out the playlists and the posts.
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