Nadia Mukami opens up about being raised by a military mum

Nadia Mukami recently opened up about her upbringing and personal journey during a candid interview with Betty Kyallo on TV47.

Despite heavy rains in Nairobi causing delays, the singer made it to the studio, where she reflected on her rise from a modest background to becoming one of East Africa’s leading music stars.

A Mother’s Sacrifice in the “Jeshi”

Nadia shared memories sparked by a childhood photo taken upcountry, crediting her success to her mother’s discipline and resilience. Her mother served in the military—locally referred to as the “jeshi”—and made significant sacrifices for her family.

She revealed that her mother temporarily stepped away from her career to raise her children before later 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 said.

From “Ushago” to Success

The singer described her journey as one built on persistence and hard work. Today, she enjoys the fruits of her labour, including owning a Range Rover—an achievement she considers a dream fulfilled, though she says she still has bigger ambitions ahead.

Known to fans as the “African Pop Star,” Nadia began her professional music career about a decade ago. She gained widespread recognition with hits like “Radio Love” and later established her own record label, Sevens Creative Hub.

She also highlighted her behind-the-scenes achievements, noting that her music career has enabled her to invest in property and high-end assets.

The Reality of Motherhood

Now a mother of two, Nadia spoke candidly about the challenges of parenting while in the public eye. Her youngest son, born in August 2025, has made sleep a rare luxury.

“Those of us in the limelight like to pretend and lie a lot. It is not easy,” she admitted.

She explained that her newborn frequently wakes up at night, making it difficult to get uninterrupted rest, and emphasized the physical demands of motherhood even with a supportive partner.

Celebrating a Decade in Music

Nadia is also preparing to mark 10 years in the music industry this August. To celebrate the milestone, she is planning a special concert for her fans.

In addition, she announced an upcoming EP titled Bundle of Joy 2, which will include a special dedication to her son, continuing her tradition of blending personal experiences with her music.