Iyanii discusses his prison initiative and how it has boosted his career

Kenyan musician Iyanii has revealed plans to channel a significant portion of his music income into supporting people behind bars, pledging to dedicate 20 per cent of his earnings to prison outreach programmes.

Speaking on the Mic Cheque podcast, the singer said the decision is a personal and structured commitment tied directly to his career, not a publicity stunt or a one-off donation.

“All the money I’m going to earn from my music, I’m setting aside 20 per cent to give back to the people in prison,” Iyanii said.

He explained that the funds will come straight from his music revenue, underlining his intention to make giving back a permanent part of his professional journey.

Iyanii outlined a systemised model for his philanthropy, saying the money set aside is pooled over three to four months before being used for specific outreach projects. This, he said, allows for proper planning rather than impulsive charity.

Through some of these initiatives, the artist has operated under the name Mitandom, a persona linked to hands-on community engagement. His efforts have included personally visiting individuals and buying them meals, often working alongside like-minded collaborators.

He added that certain projects require additional preparation, including hiring specialised equipment, to ensure the outreach efforts deliver meaningful, real-world impact.

A major focus of Iyanii’s work has been outreach in correctional facilities. He revealed that his goal is to recreate the energy of music festivals and club performances inside prisons, using music as a bridge to connect with inmates.

“The same experience festivals, same experience clubs, is the same experience I took into them,” he said.

According to the musician, gaining access to prisons is relatively straightforward once one expresses genuine interest in engaging with inmates. Inside, visitors are allowed to interact freely, listen to stories, and connect on a human level.

Iyanii stressed that these conversations are central to his mission, noting that storytelling helps shed light on the realities faced by incarcerated individuals.

Inviting Others Into the Mission

During the podcast, Iyanii also extended an open invitation to the Mic Cheque hosts to join him on a future prison visit.

“The next time I’m tagging you guys,” he said, signalling his desire to involve more people in the initiative and expand awareness around prison-based outreach through shared, firsthand experiences.

The artist says his hope is that by combining music, presence and consistent financial commitment, he can help restore dignity and hope to those often forgotten by society.