Ken Wakia has cultivated a rich and diverse career integrating music-making, cultural diplomacy, and education, earning him recognition among the top 100 most influential people in Africa in the creative category (New African Magazine, 2024). A Fulbright Scholar, he holds a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Miami and significantly contributed as the Cultural and Educational Affairs Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi from 2010 to 2022, managing wide-ranging cultural diplomacy programs.
Driven by a vision to empower young Kenyans, Ken founded the Nairobi Chamber Chorus. Under his leadership, the Chorus has blossomed, nurturing over three hundred young musicians and performing globally, including representing Kenya at the Queen of England’s Diamond Jubilee (2012) and touring with “World of Hans Zimmer” and “Hans Zimmer Live” productions.
With extensive international conducting credits, Ken is also the founding director of the Safaricom Choir. A passionate advocate for music as a tool for global change, he co-founded the AVoice4Peace project, which promotes non-violent conflict resolution through choral music. His dedication to advancing African choral music internationally earned him the 2019 African Image Maker award and a position on the Nexus Global Leadership Council. Ken’s impactful career bridges cultures through music, embodying a deep commitment to education and community service.
