Eric Wainaina, born August 28, 1973, in Nairobi, Kenya, is a celebrated Kenyan singer-songwriter, composer, and musical theater creator known for his genre-blending music and socially conscious lyrics. Raised in a middle-class family, he developed an early passion for music, influenced by his mother’s love for records and his exposure to diverse genres like Benga, Congolese rumba, and pop. He attended St. Mary’s School in Nairobi and later graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, majoring in songwriting and record engineering.
Wainaina’s career began in the 1990s with the gospel a cappella group Five Alive, performing across Kenya. His breakthrough came with the 2001 album Sawa Sawa, featuring the hit "Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo," a bold critique of Kenya’s corruption culture, and "Daima" (also known as "Kenya Only"), which became a patriotic anthem after the 1998 Nairobi US Embassy bombing. His discography includes Twende Twende (2006), Love and Protest (2011), and Dreams In Stereo (2018), blending Afro-fusion, pop, and traditional Kenyan rhythms with incisive social commentary.
Beyond music, Wainaina is a prominent musical theater composer. His works include Mo Faya, performed at the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival, and Tinga Tinga Tales, adapted for Broadway. He founded the Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative to mentor young artists and promote Kenyan stories through theater.
A UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment, Wainaina uses his platform to advocate for social justice, environmental issues, and youth empowerment. He is married to Sheba Hirst, a fellow creative, and they have two children. Known for his charisma, family values, and commitment to change, Wainaina remains a pivotal figure in African music and culture.