Nairobi News

Singer/song writer Wahu Kagwi Mathenge, commonly known as Wahu has established herself as a versatile singer, a wife and a mother. In spite of all these roles, she still manages to remain relevant to her fans, she opened up to Chillax .

How do you manage to handle all these roles?

There is absolutely no secret. I just plan. I take things one day at a time and do not let stuff that happens affect me. If I do something and it doesn’t go my way, then I am okay with it.

One of the lessons I have learnt is that when you take issues too seriously, they affect your ability to enjoy life and in the end you will not be a good friend or wife.

When I had my second born daughter, Nyakio, I took a break to take care of her.

Has there been a time when you felt that you couldn’t take the heat any more?

Yes, in 2006. I do not like attention. I am freer when I have a one-on-one interview than when being bombarded by media. I thought of quitting music after giving birth to my first born, Tumiso and the media were all over my case.

I did not have a moment of privacy with my family and were it not that Nameless (her husband, who is also a singer) told me that even if I quit people would not stop wanting to know what goes on in my life, I might have stopped singing.

I saw the truth in this plus I told God to see me through with this passion (singing) that he had bestowed upon me.

There were rumours that your marriage was on the rocks and the paternity of your second child was in question.

Yes, there was a time that my marriage was in trouble. We are a normal couple and we go through issues just like any other couple, but get me right, those were just misunderstandings and nothing like a divorce was in the offing.

We disagreed on various issues but we ironed them out. Although we were angry at each other during that time, we still talked unlike other couples who don’t speak to each other in weeks or even months despite living together.

Thank God, that is all behind us now. We are stronger than ever and please, the father of my children is and will always be, Nameless.

Rumour has it that you and Nameless got married because corporates love the image of the two of you together?

If that were the truth, I would be very unhappy. Monski (Nameless’ nickname) is not only my husband, he is my best friend and business partner.

If corporates love us or hate us, that is their problem and not ours and this is where I draw the line. If it is anything to do with my career, the world can comment or criticise because I do it for the people, but when it comes to my family and issues that happen in my house, those are mine.

Has motherhood affected how you do your music?

I am very careful about what I write in a song and how I do a video because I know Tumiso, who will be turning eight this year, watches me and gets more inquisitive by the day.

When we were young, we looked up to our mothers and our children look up to us. I watch my language  because I don’t want her to start doing stuff in the name of ‘mummy is also doing it’. We also try hard to make her understand that when she sees mum or dad in a video, they are just acting.

What are you working on now?

Like I said earlier, I had taken a break to look after Nyakio. Now I’m officially back in the studio and might release something mid this year. I also plan to establish myself in the hair and beauty industry.

What advice do you have for Tumiso and Nyakio?

Be your own woman, don’t let society define you; let your dreams define you.