“We are an undeniable dynamic duo. Both avid singer-songwriters and instrumentalists that are hell bent on leaving a mark on the global scene,” Israel says.
Their journey began on the open mic stages of Nairobi, eventually leading to their first breakthrough as part of the trio Kaskazini, signed under Sol Generation Records.
After stepping away to pursue their own sound and creative freedom, they emerged as Watendawili, a name that reflects unity, duality and intentional storytelling.
The decision came with uncertainty, particularly because many business processes had previously been handled for them.
“The biggest risk was not knowing all the moving parts of the music business,” they explain. “But it paid off. We learnt the hard way, and that made us more involved in our craft.”
Their identity is built around duality, two distinct artistic voices merging into a shared storytelling language. The duo say this happened naturally through transparency and trust.
By sharing personal stories, creative ideas and perspectives, their individual strengths remain visible while serving a collective message.
“We are very similar yet very different. Our artistic identities have merged so well because of transparency. We share our unique stories, ideas, visions without judgement or fear and this makes everyone’s individual brilliance to stand out and shine and also speak a common message as one,” says Ywaya.
That philosophy also extends to their growing fan community, known as Wozaa Gang.
“We have a hand sign that we do with our fans as a way of identifying each other. It’s a ‘W’ sign and this represents Winning. Watendawili embodies the spirit of fighting for your dreams and I have to say, this is something we share in common with our fans,” says Israel.
Their debut album En Route became an important learning experience. Beyond strong streaming numbers, the project reinforced the belief that intentionality, consistency and discipline create space for artists to succeed.
The duo describe the Kenyan music scene as abundant rather than competitive. “The cake is too big,” they say, emphasising that multiple artistes can thrive simultaneously.
Watendawili’s sound merges R&B, soul, Afrobeat and traditional Luo influences, creating a scenario that feels both contemporary and rooted. The fusion is deliberate, but also instinctive.
Their songwriting is anchored in emotional honesty, something they consider essential rather than optional. “Music literally saves lives. We never take a songwriting session lightly because we understand the power of melody and lyric,” says Ywaya.
Language is another defining element. By moving between Swahili, Luo, Kikuyu, Sheng and English, the duo expand the emotional reach of their storytelling. Each language allows their music to speak across communities while remaining culturally grounded.
This layered storytelling approach is most clearly realised in their latest EP, Hekaya. The project draws inspiration from folklore, symbolic stories traditionally passed down orally, while connecting those traditions to modern youth conversations. The idea, they say, came directly from fans.
“Hekaya was birthed from stories told to us by our fans; love, loss, celebration and grief, so We compiled those stories into short narratives that we all go through, and we hope it leaves a mark,” they say
The decision to centre the EP on storytelling was intentional.
“Emotional honesty is central to our songwriting because music literally saves lives. We never take a songwriting session lightly, because we understand the power of melody and lyric,” they say.
Watendawili see culture as something that evolves but never disappears. By incorporating folklore-style narratives with contemporary “base” conversations the project bridges generations.
“Culture is the one thing that will never fade. It’s our duty to help our generation connect with it.”
Musically, Hekaya reflects expansion without losing identity.
The EP moves across taarab, rumba, reggae, benga and Afropop, creating multiple cultural entry points for listeners.
This diversity was less about experimentation for its own sake and more about ensuring different experiences and audiences were represented. Rumba connects with older listeners, while Afropop and contemporary sounds resonate with younger audiences.
Asked which track best represents their current creative space, Watendawili point to Ngai enda. The song reflects persistence and faith, the idea that progress is ongoing, and setbacks are part of the journey. “We are steadily rising to become the best Kenya has produced,” they say. “If today is not 100 per cent, we try again tomorrow and keep moving forward.”
Notably, the duo say vulnerability is never treated as risk in their music.
Emotional openness is a consistent choice rather than a creative gamble. This mindset has shaped how their storytelling has evolved over the years.
Having each other has played a crucial role in that evolution. They describe their partnership as both mirror and compass reflecting progress while guiding direction.
