Kenya’s most educated and enlightened musicians; stage name, official name, popular hits and highest level of education

Kenya’s most educated and enlightened musicians; stage name, official name, popular hits and the highest level of education

Exploring the link between university education and music

Did you know that Wahu, Nameless, Elani band members and Sanaipei Tande are graduates and Frasha a doctor?

Musicians have been associated with academic dwarfism. The general notion held by the public depicts musicians as academic dimwits and underachievers who turn to the music industry when things in the world of academia go south.

On the contrary, we have musicians who have been able to juggle music and education pretty well. Some of them have earned university degrees that can land them prestigious and well-paying white-collar jobs but they have chosen a different path to their glory-music.

In this article, we shall focus on the most educated and enlightened musicians in Kenya.

1. Nameless (official name-David Mathenge)

David Mathenge alias Nameless introduces our list of most educated Kenyan musicians. Just like he has shown his prowess in the music industry, Nameless is an academic giant.

Nameless studied architecture and graduated from the best university in the Kenya-the University of Nairobi.

So if you are thinking that Nameless has never seen the door of a university, it is high time you changed your viewpoint.

Nameless is the brain behind the architectural design of a Kshs 4 billion Hub Shopping Mall in Karen- Nairobi.

Some of his hit songs that have seen Nameless win several awards are Salari, Sinzia, Boomba Train and Butterfly.

2. Wahu (official name- Wahu Kagwi)

The entrepreneur, songwriter, singer and actress Wahu Kagwi is among Kenya’s most educated musicians.

Wahu Kagwi is a graduate of the University of Nairobi. She graduated with a degree in Mathematics alongside pursuing music.

Some of Wahu’s hits include Niangalie, Sweet Love, Liar and Sitishiki which have seen her climb the social rank.

Currently, Wahu is one of the top 10 richest musicians in Kenya in 2020.

In 2008, Wahu won two prestigious awards: the Pearl of Africa Music Awards-Best Female Artist category and Kisima Music Awards- Best Song.

Wahu is married to Nameless, a fellow musician with whom they have two daughters.

3. Frasha (a member of P-UNIT a popular music band in Kenya)

Frasha is another of our most educated Kenyan musicians. Frasha is a medical doctor by profession who ironically fell for music head over heels.

The music star once worked at the Aga Khan Hospital up to 2011 when he joined Bon-Eye and Gabu and together they formed-UNIT a music band in Kenya.

Although he has no regrets for quitting the medical field, Frasha still considers himself a doctor.

He specialized in physiotherapy: knees, back, neck and sports injuries.

When Frasha’s opinionated parents knew his plans to quit medicine, drama ensued. His mother is a doctor and his father a teacher. Although Frasha’s decision greatly hurt them, they have now come to terms with the reality that their son’s major interest is in music and they support him fully.

4. Sauti Sol’s Guitarist Polycarp Otieno

The brain behind Sauti Sol’s hit song “Soma Kijana” and lead guitarist Polycarp Otieno is also one of the most educated musicians in Kenya.

Polycarp Otieno is popular for his prowess at playing the guitar.

The Sauti Sol’s lead guitarist is not only good at music. Polycarp Otieno has a degree in Actuarial Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, JKUAT.

5. Elani band music members: Maureen Kunga, Brian Chweya, and Wambui Ngugi

Elani is also home to Kenya’s most educated musicians. The three band members: Maureen Kunga, Brian Chweya and Wambui Ngugi are all graduates from the University of Nairobi.

Maureen Kunga (Elani Band member) pursued law at the University of Nairobi and was admitted to the bar falling into her colleague Brian Chweya’s step.

Brian Chweya confessed that his passion for music was more sizzling hot than that for the law but his parents ensured that he put studies ahead of everything.

Brian Chweya is an advocate according to Nairobi News.

The third member of the Elani Music band Wambui Ngugi holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi.

She confessed that she has never used her actuarial skills in any meaningful way.

She describes her entry into music as a “beautiful mistake.”

6. Sanaipei Tande

Sanaipei Tande crowns our list of Kenya’s most educated musicians. Apart from Music and acting  Sanaipei is a trained and registered pharmacist.