"My Mom Was in the Jeshi": Nadia Mukami Opens Up on Her Upbringing

Kenya’s Afropop sensation, Nadia Mukami, recently shared a rare glimpse into her upbringing during a candid interview with Betty Kyallo on TV47.

Despite heavy rains in Nairobi causing delays, the singer arrived to discuss her journey from a humble childhood to becoming one of East Africa’s biggest stars.

A Mother’s Sacrifice in the "Jeshi"

During the interview, Nadia reflected on a childhood photograph taken in "ushago" (upcountry). She credited much of her success to her mother’s resilience and discipline. Her mother was a member of the military—commonly referred to in Kenya as the "jeshi."

Nadia revealed that her mother made significant personal sacrifices for her family. She briefly left her military career to give birth and raise her children before eventually returning to service.

"My mom had us then went back to jeshi... She had to give up her career to have us and raise us at some point. Then she returned," Nadia shared.

From "Ushago" to a Range Rover

The singer noted that her journey has been long and filled with hard work. Nadia now drives a Range Rover, a milestone she describes as a dream come true, though she insists she has even bigger goals for the future.

According to online entertainment records, Nadia Mukami—often called the "African Pop Star"—started her professional music career roughly a decade ago.

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She rose to fame with hit "Radio Love," eventually founding her own record label, Sevens Creative Hub.

She expressed pride in the "behind-the-scenes" achievements that the public does not always see. These financial milestones, funded entirely through her music career, include purchasing property and high-end vehicles.

The Reality of Motherhood

Now a mother of two herself, Nadia spoke honestly about the difficulties of parenting while in the public eye. Her youngest son was born in August 2025. She admitted that, unlike her firstborn, her second child struggles to sleep through the night.

"Those of us in the limelight like to pretend and lie a lot. It is not easy," she told Betty Kyallo.

Nadia noted that she rarely gets a full night's sleep because her youngest wakes up multiple times to feed. She stressed that even with a supportive partner, the physical demands on a mother are intense during the early stages of a child's life.

Celebrating a Decade in Music

August will mark a major milestone for Nadia as she celebrates 10 years in the music industry. To commemorate a decade of hits, she is planning a special concert for her fans.

She also announced the upcoming release of her new EP, titled Bundle of Joy 2. This project follows her previous EP and will include a dedicated song for her son.