Evelyn Wanjiru

Evelyn Wanjiru (born 6 May 1990 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a celebrated Kenyan gospel singer, worship leader, songwriter, and music director whose career spans over a decade in East Africa’s contemporary gospel scene. Raised in Nakuru’s Freehold Estate, she began singing at the age of nine in church and school festivals, laying the foundation for a ministry-driven musical journey. Her professional career took shape in the early 2010s after training with the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) at Kabarak University, and through her partnership with producer and husband Agundabweni Akweyu, with whom she co-founded Bwenieve Production.

Wanjirū rose to national prominence with her early project Waweza (originally recorded as Mazingira), whose title track was adopted as the official theme song for Kenya’s Mau Forest conservation campaign. This milestone led to her appointment as a music ambassador for the initiative, highlighting her influence beyond music into environmental and social advocacy. Her subsequent album Mungu Mkuu earned Album of the Year at the 2015 Groove Awards, while her collaboration “Tulia” featuring Vicky Kitonga won Collaboration of the Year in 2016. Over the years, she has released several impactful songs including “Jehovah Elohim,” “Nikufahamu,” “Utukufu,” and “Na Iwe Maombi,” establishing herself as a leading voice in African gospel music.

Her later work includes the live-recorded album Mwanga (2021), reflecting her growth as both a worship minister and performer. Beyond music, Evelyn Wanjirū is an entrepreneur and mentor, hosting the annual Praise Atmosphere worship event and running initiatives that support emerging artists. In 2024, she expanded her creative expression into literature with her debut book The Wait, a deeply personal account of faith and perseverance during her journey to motherhood. Internationally, she has ministered alongside global gospel figures such as Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Michael W Smith, and Sinach, further cementing her status as an influential figure in global gospel ministry.

Sources: Wikipedia; Groove Awards records; artist profiles and interviews; Boomplay release data.