At just 26, Kenyan singer-songwriter Melanie Macharia is making waves in Manchester’s music scene, blending African storytelling with folk and jazz. With an impressive list of achievements, a new EP celebrating her heritage and ambitions to become a global musical force, she is determined to take Kenyan music to international stages.
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Melanie Macharia, professionally known as Macharia, is a singer-songwriter, composer, guitarist and music director whose musical journey has taken her from performing for the President of Kenya to sharing stages with internationally recognised artists.
Now based in Manchester, the 26-year-old musician from Kenya’s Kikuyu community is carving out a distinctive space in the British music industry. “Made in Kenya, based in Manchester, I’m a singer-songwriter, composer and Music Director,” she says. “My sound lies somewhere between folk and jazz, built on storytelling and call-and-response.”
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From a Nairobi Schoolgirl to International Stages
Macharia’s musical journey began at Moi Girls’ School in Nairobi, where she was named Best in Music for four consecutive years. Her talent earned her an opportunity to perform for the President of Kenya at State House and a government scholarship to study music at Kenyatta University. Encouraged by her music teacher to pursue a professional career, she joined Khweva Arts Production Company in 2018 as a singer, eventually becoming its music director.
In 2023, she served as music director for the musical Kiri, creating an original arrangement of the Kenyan national anthem that attracted international attention. Inspired by her success, Macharia moved to Manchester in 2023 to pursue a master’s degree in Music Performance at the University of Manchester. Since then, her career has flourished.
She has performed at Manchester Jazz Festival and Manchester Festival, staged a sold-out headline show titled Soul Safari at Contact Theatre and received four plays on BBC Introducing. She was also selected as one of eight artists for Manchester Jazz Festival’s Soundcheck programme and now serves on the festival’s Youth Advisory Board.
Other achievements include becoming a Primal Live finalist, receiving an East African in Diaspora Community Champion Award and performing at the Wild n Art grassroots fund launch, where her photograph appeared in The Guardian. One particularly memorable moment came at Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival, where seven-time BRIT Award winner RAYE complimented her stage presence during a jam session.
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The Challenges of Building a Career Abroad
Despite her achievements, Macharia admits that moving to Britain has not been easy. “Leaving behind everything and everyone I know and love to build a career in a new country has been incredibly difficult,” she says.
She has also encountered challenges navigating the British music industry as a Black African woman. “There are race-tinted glasses I have on that I never had back home in Kenya,” she explains. “I never had to doubt that I was missing an opportunity because I was Black, or because I used my last name instead of my English name.”
Nevertheless, Manchester has opened doors she once only dreamed of. She has attended international festivals, accessed professional development programmes and watched artists including RAYE, Alessia Cara and Katy Perry perform live. “Access to these opportunities have made me dream bigger than I ever could have back home,” she says. Alongside performing, Macharia mentors songwriters and works as the Engagement and Agency Alumni Coordinator at Manchester’s Contact Theatre.
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‘Tega Sikio’: A Musical Letter to Her Roots
In July 2026, Macharia released her five-track EP, Tega Sikio, meaning “Listen”. Featuring songs in Swahili and English, the project explores her Kenyan heritage, relationships and personal identity. “Each song is written as a letter to the people who’ve shaped me. My ancestors, my parents, my friends and the girl in the mirror,” she explains.
The EP was written during an Arts Council England-funded research trip to Kenya, where she explored her Kikuyu heritage and reconnected with her cultural roots. The project features collaborations with Barbara Wangui, Ben P. Williams, Pblo, Apollo George and Sonus of Warrdrum Mixing. Through Tega Sikio, Macharia hopes to celebrate her ancestry while introducing Kenyan musical storytelling to wider international audiences.
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Fighting to Secure Her Future in Britain
Despite her growing success, Macharia faces uncertainty about her future in the UK. She is currently applying for a Global Talent visa, which she hopes to secure before the end of 2026 to continue building her career. For Macharia, securing the visa would mean continuing the artistic journey she has worked tirelessly to establish in Manchester.
“It is a competitive route because you have to provide evidence that you are either an exceptional talent, or you have the promise to be an exceptional leader in your field,” she explains. “The uncertainty of needing a visa to stay and keep pursuing my dreams has been a real weight too.”
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Inspiring the Next Generation of African Musicians
Looking ahead, Macharia has ambitious plans. She dreams of becoming a global leader in music, writing and directing a musical about a Kenyan hero and taking Kenyan music and stories to bigger international stages. Equally important is her desire to support grassroots musicians and inspire young African girls to believe in their abilities. “I want to keep giving grassroots musicians a voice and be someone young African girls can look up to,” she says. “That they can see me living my dreams and believe that they can do it too!”
LISTEN TO MACHARIA ON SPOTIFY
From Nairobi to Manchester, Macharia’s story is one of talent, resilience and determination. As she continues to navigate the challenges of building an international career, she remains committed to celebrating her Kenyan identity and creating opportunities for others. For this rising Kenyan musician, the dream is not simply to succeed, but to ensure that African music, culture and stories are heard and celebrated around the world.
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