Kenyan music duo Vijana Barubaru has announced a new chapter in its music journey, with members Tuku Kantu and Mwana Wa Wambui, popularly known as Mwanaa, choosing to pursue their careers as solo artists.
The duo shared the announcement on their official social media pages on Wednesday, describing the decision as a new season rather than an end to the journey they have built together.
“For years, the world has known us as Vijana Barubaru. Two voices, one shared journey,” the duo said in a statement.
“Together, we have created music, memories, and moments that have shaped us. It is an understatement to say that we are deeply proud of the greatness that we have built together. Today, we want to share that we are entering a new season of our music careers.”
They explained that the decision follows their individual growth as artists and their desire to explore different creative directions.
“As artists and as individuals, we have both continued to grow, and out of the desire to further explore our creative journeys, we have decided to go on a hiatus to focus on our solo careers,” they said.
Vijana Barubaru brought together two contrasting but complementary talents. Tuku Kantu established himself as the duo’s soulful vocalist, blending pop, Afropop and native East African influences, while Mwana Wa Wambui, also known as Mshairi Spikes or Mwanaa, brought a poetic and rap-driven approach to their music.
Their music was built around the chemistry between Tuku’s melodic vocals and Mwanaa’s lyrical storytelling. Their songs often explored love, relationships, personal struggles, hope and everyday experiences.
Among the songs that helped establish their following was “Sasa Hivi”, a romantic track that became one of their signature songs.
They later followed it with “Ipo Siku”, a motivational song about perseverance and believing that better days will come. The song came after the success of “Sasa Hivi” and further demonstrated the duo’s ability to combine meaningful storytelling with accessible melodies.
Their catalogue continued to grow with songs including “Nakupenda”, “Romantic Call”, “Amen” featuring Cedo, “Nowe”, “Mpenzi New Year” and “Ni Sawa” featuring Steph Kapela.
Their journey has also included collaborations with artists such as Nandy, Steph Kapela and Scar Mkadinali, helping them establish a place within Kenya’s contemporary music scene.