The music industry is as versatile as they come with several genres each suited to their respective audience tastes and preferences.
While some people like sensual, soothing rhythms, others swear by scintillating, vigorous tunes that can effortlessly make them break a sweat or streams of it on the dance floor.
In this article, we shall explore the richest artists in Kenya based on specific parameters used in our research.
Sauti Sol
With a cumulative Ksh 400 million wealth estimate, Sauti Sol is arguably the most popular as well as richest afro-pop music band in Kenya.
Their artistry works which captures current issues in the country as well as the international arena endearing themselves to a vast audience worldwide.
The group also boasts of countless music tours and performances not only within Kenya but also across Africa and the European continent thanks to its impressive music portfolio.
The band has released several hit songs such as Nairobi, Suzanna, Short and Sweet, Melanin, Sura yako.
Jane Nyambura, Queen Jane
Born in Kangema, Murang’a County, the benga music songstress who has since passed on is still acclaimed for her luscious voice and deep lyrics touching on diverse issues especially love.
Her music journey began in 1984 under Mbiri Young Stars band leader, Simon Kihara popularly known as Musaimo.
She was a backup singer until her exit in 1991 where she formed her own music band Queenja Les.
She went on to clinch a huge breakthrough which depicted her artistic name Queen Jane and continues to live on, despite her debut album failing to succeed.
As a seasoned musician, she contributed immensely in the music industry and she is still a household name which rightfully justifies her position as the wealthiest musician in Kenya.
Some of her hit songs include Mwendwa KK, Arume ni Nyamu, Ndutige Kwiyaba among others.
She is estimated to have a net worth of Ksh80 million
Jaguar
Charles Kanyi popularly known by his stage name as Jaguar is the incumbent Member of Parliament for Starehe Constituency, Nairobi.
Having arisen from a humble ground, Jaguar’s success story is the proverbial from rags to riches narrative.
Apart from his palatial home worth Ksh20 million, the Kigeugeu hitmaker also owns a number of posh cars including a Bently, Lexus GL 450, Range Rover Sport, and Mercedes Benz E240.
The musician-turned-legislator also owns a number of firms such as real estate, an auto garage, security firm, and a taxi company.
Hos estimated to make Ksh 1 million for a single performance during popular events such as political rallies.
His estimated wealth is Ksh 350 million.
Kevin Waire popularly known as Wyre
Fondly referred to as the Love Child among his fans, the iconic crooner began his music career at the Necessary Noize and East African Bashment Crew.
He went ahead to carve a long, successful solo music career which turned him to a household name among reggae and R&B music fanatics.
The iconic crooner prides himself in having shared performances with celebrated international artists such as Morgan Heritage, Alaine, P-Square, Cecil, 2Face Idibia among others.
He is a seasoned musician in the Kenyan entertainment industry who has made a name for himself and accumulated vast amounts of wealth during his decades long music career.
His estimated wealth is at Ksh113.6 million.
Nadia Mukami
She is an award winning artist who prides herself in representing Kenya at the Coke Studio Africa in 2019.
The singer and songwriter also won two awards at Pulse Music Video Awards (PMVA).
She worked with Hailemind Entertainment until when she released a hit song “Radio Love” featuring Arrow Boy which catapulted her to limelight and brought her breakthrough into the music industry.
The singer has worked with several acclaimed artists and released banger after banger such as Mario, Fena Gitu, Khaligtaph Jones, among others.
She was nominated in MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) for the first time in 2021.
Wilson Abubakar Radido (Willy Paul)
He is an award –winning artist and lyricist as well as the Chief Executive Officer of Saldido International Entertainment.
He started out as a gospel singer where he released a number of hits such as Sitolia among others.
He has been feted for several awards including the Groove Awards Male Artist of the Year 2013.
Willy Paul later quit gospel and joined the secular music industry where he has continued thriving doing collaborations with a number of famed international artists such as Tanzanian Nandy and Jamaican Alaine.
His estimated net worth is at Sh965.6 million
Hubert Mbuku Nakitare Nonini
His successful adventurous music career started in 2002, under Calif Records.
He later joined Homeboyce Production after falling out with his first station.
His debut single Nonini Ni Nani was his turnaround which garnered him much popularity positioning him among top artists in Kenya’s music industry.
He went on to release another hit song, Manzi wa Nairobi, We Kamu, Keroro Kataa hio, Genge love which equally won him accolades and greatly endeared him to Kenyans
Recently, the legendary musician has adapted to the current generation and music and has released several hit songs and collaborations which have made him a household name.
Some his recent bangers include “Tabia za Wakenya, Watoto na Pombe among others.
His estimated wealth is at Ksh 27 million.
Suzanna Owiyo
She is an award winning acclaimed singer and songwriter in Kenya and across the world.
In 2011, the Head of State honored her with the prestigious Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya in recognition for her accomplishments in the entertainment industry and global achievements.
She was born in Kasaye village, in Nyakach, Kisumu County.
Her powerful voice endeared her to many with her fame spreading far and wide.
Apart from music, the songstress also takes part in several awareness and advocacy campaigns.
She has been involved in the “Because I am a Girl” global campaign spearheaded by Plan International, aimed at supporting girls through education.
Lilian Munyali (Size Eight)
She started out as a secular songstress at Calif Records over 10 years ago.
Her electric performances catapulted her to limelight as she went on to release hit after hit songs such as Vidonge and Mateke.
Size Eight later saw the light and converted to gospel singing where she has continued to thrive.
She is married to Gospel Dj Samuel Muraya popularly known as DJ Mo and recently she was ordained as pastor.
Her accumulated wealth is estimated at Ksh113million.
Esther Akoth (Akothee)
With a Ksh1.13 billion wealth estimate, Akothee earns her rightful place in the top richest musicians in Kenya.
She claims to have turned to music after falling out with her Zurich lover.
The vibrant songstress immersed her energy into the entertainment industries and her efforts have since paid off with her music career soaring higher over the years.
She boasts of featuring internationally acclaimed artists including Tanzanian Bongo sensation Diamond Platinumz, Flavor, McGalaxy, and many others.
Apart from music, the artist is also an accomplished businesswoman with a number of ventures in the tourism industry.
Kevin Mbuvi Kioko also known as Singer Bahati
Bahati Kenya is among the top richest musicians in the country and also the founder of EMB Records.
He is an award-winning artist who started out singing gospel music before converting to contemporary secular songs.
He has released several hit songs such as Barua, Mama, Machozi and recently Jaber in collaboration with Prince Indah which has since turned him to a household name.
Apart from music, Bahati is also an actor as well as content creator who has featured in a number of local movies garnering followers locally and internationally.
He is married to Diana Marua a content creator who recently has also ventured into the music industry.
His net worth is approximately Ksh1.7 billion.
Kennedy Ombima popularly known as King Kaka
He is one of the wealthiest musicians in Kenya thanks to his business prowess which he nurtured while still in high school.
The talented rapper boasts of several brand endorsement deals which has seen him earn huge amounts from topnotch organizations locally and internationally.
He has been a brand ambassador for the international beverage Remy Martin, Unicef, Safaricom, Fly Skyward Express among others.
The musician is a skilled social media influencer for coveted brands such as Sony Middle East, Peptang, ShowMax and Coca-Cola Africa.
Ali Yusuf also known as Arrow Bwoy
He is one of the most successful musicians in Kenya who has navigated his way to the top without giving up despite many obstacles.
His first attempt to join the entertainment industry was during Tusker Project Fame competition where the judge bluntly dismissed him telling him to try another time.
Not one to give up, he pursued his music before joining King Kaka Empire where he got his first breakthrough with his Digi Digi hitsong.
The Jango Love hitmaker has released several bangers including Dodo, African Woman, Shikisha, Mama among others.
Recently, there have been rumours that Arrow Bwoy and Singer Nadia Mukami are an item but being one who prefers his private matters remain private, he has rubbished the claims.
Fena Gitu
She is a popular talented songwriter, singer and producer and she also represented Kenya in Coke Studio Africa Season 2.
She is famed for her hit songs such as African King, Fenamenal, Jabulani among others.
Her passion for music started at a tender age with her efforts being rewarded when she won the “Fete de la Musique” during a singing competition at Alliance Francaise Nairobi.
She nbegun as back-up vocalist for Muthoni the Drummer Queen and Dela in 2009 before quitting to start a solo career in 2010.
Jacob Obunga also known as Otile Brown
He is a celebrated R&B and Bongo artist in Kenya.
His mellow voice has endeared himself to fans and has seen him release hit after hit such as Dusuma, Jeraha, Woman, among others.
Evans Ochieng also known as Prince Indah
He is a Luo Ohangla singer who has become a darling among Luo fans and other people for his charismatic and witty lyrics.
The crooner has a melloe, sultry voice which has endeared him to most Ohangla lovers.
He is renowned for several hit songs such as Kwach Ogolo Koke which was released in 2020.
His recent song Adhiambo done in collaboration with Bahati saw him become a household name.
David Mathenge (Nameless)
Not only is he a celebrated musician with over 10 years experience in the entertainment industry, he is also an accomplished architect.
His deep voice and unique music has endeared him to people and that could be the reason he has remained to top the charts reinforcing his position as the pioneer of Kenya’s urban music.
He ventured into the industry in 1999 where he went ahead and did a collaboration with legendary musicians such as the late E-Sir.
He is married to Wahu a secular music-turned gospel artist and together they have accumulated assets worth more than 100 million.
Habida
She is an award winning skilled musician as well as a talented model.
The singer boasts of several awards among them Best Video Award at the East African CHAT Awards, 2010.
She studied Drama at Lewisham College, London, before joining Kennesaw State University in Atlanta.
She has worked with several top artists and producers in the entertainment industry including Kiko Romeo and Robert Kimanzi, also known as RKay.
Recently she released a banger Sunshine together with Nameless which instantly became a hit song.
Nyashinski Ongenu Nyamari
Initially, he was part of the Kleptomaniax, a rap group consisting of three members.
He later decided to break away and concentrate on his solo music career where he went on to release several hit songs.
Eric Wainaina
He came into the limelight with his hit songs Daima Mimi Mkenya and Sawa Sawa in 2001.
The veteran artist is famed for his African guitar rhythms, benga music fused with modern harmony.
Brian Ouko Robert (Khalighraph Jones)
He is fondly referred to as Japa Jones among his fans.
He is a skilled rapper renowned for his hit songs Yego, Mazishi among others.
Conclusion
Every music enthusiast reveres their crooners and songstresses as the best in the whole world, a claim they can justify using a number of reasons ranging from voice quality, the depth of lyrics, choreographic masterly, video and audio proficiency among others.
It goes without saying that music is a personal matter which creates a thin line between what some would regard as heavenly, sultry tunes while others would flatly disregard the same as noise.
