Wahu Kagwi has been honoured with the Music Excellence Award by ONErpm Kenya at an intimate brunch held at Social House Nairobi. The award recognised her enduring contribution to Kenyan and African music over the past two decades.
The gathering, organised to celebrate International Women’s Month, brought together 30 women from across the Kenyan music industry.
The event highlighted not only Wahu’s achievements as an artiste but also her influence as a mentor and role model.
Wahu first rose to prominence with chart-topping hits such as Sitishiki and Liar.
In 2008, she became the inaugural Best Female Artist winner at the MTV Africa Music Awards, propelled by the success of Sweet Love, a song that remains a defining anthem in East African pop music. In recent years, she has transitioned into gospel, with tracks like Sifa (2017) and the heartfelt My Everything.
Beyond her recordings, Wahu’s work with Afrosiri and her public persona as a mother and wife have established her as a blueprint for sustainable success in the music industry. The award recognises both her longevity and the guidance she has provided to emerging artists.
The brunch drew a dynamic mix of industry players, including artistes, managers, executives, investors, legal experts, and cultural influencers.
Notable attendees included artist manager Chiki Kuruka, intellectual property lawyer and Copyright Tribunal member Liz Lenjo, performers Nikita Kering, We Are Nubia, and Jovial, as well as Jennifer Maende, Creative Industries Lead at the US Embassy in Nairobi.
Hosted by ONErpm Kenya Country Manager Bilha Ngaruiya and MC’d by Cyd Wambui, the conversations ranged from personal growth and industry challenges to the evolving role of women in shaping music business and culture across the region.
“We don’t have enough spaces where women in our industry can simply exist, connect, and be heard without external pressures. This gathering was a breath of fresh air, a chance to break bread, share openly, and remind each other that we’re not navigating this journey alone. As the industry continues to grow, it’s becoming even more important for us to build intentional communities that support, uplift, and champion women at every level,” said Bilha Ngaruiya, ONErpm Kenya Country Manager.