WATENDAWILI TURN STORIES INTO MUSIC ON SOPHOMORE EP “HEKAYA”
Nairobi duo Watendawili, made up of Israel Onyach and Ywaya Tajiri, return with their
sophomore EP “Hekaya” on 25th February. The title, drawn from the Swahili word for “story” or
“tale,” connects directly to the duo’s name, which is rooted in vitendawili, the Swahili tradition of
riddles used to pass down wisdom, test wit, and entertain. With “Hekaya”, Watendawili extend
that tradition into the present, drawing from classic folklore and the kind of sharp, lived
observations exchanged in the neighbourhood spaces where young Nairobi residents have
always gathered to make sense of the world around them.
The six tracks move across Swahili, Luo, Kikuyu, Sheng, and English, reflecting the layered,
multilingual reality of the city the duo calls home. The EP opens with “Tumia Pesa,” which is
about living fully in the present rather than deferring joy to a future that’s never guaranteed.
“Lavender” follows with one of the project’s sharpest observations. Inspired by Kenya’s popular
radio mediation culture, where couples air their disputes publicly on breakfast shows, the track
tells the story of a relationship so fractured it can only be addressed with an audience.
“Naogelea Mbali,” meaning “I’m swimming far,” shifts the mood entirely into a Tarab-influenced
love ballad, smooth and emotionally layered, capturing the feeling of being so deep in love that
there’s no clear shore in sight.
“Ngai Enda,” meaning “God willing,” brings Afro-house energy and Kikuyu identity together in a
motivational record about perseverance and the discipline of trying again. “Ex Wangu” takes a
more narrative approach, following a character caught in a familiar but unhealthy relationship,
choosing the comfort of what they know over the risk of growth. The EP closes with
“Mafrrrmbanya,” a high-energy reggae-raga fusion record delivered in Sheng, capturing the
humour and unpredictability of modern Nairobi love with the kind of warmth that makes it
instantly dance-ready without sacrificing the story.
The EP is a reminder that the best stories have always been the ones that make you think while
they’re making you move.