Kenya: Kasiva Mutua releases debut album Desturi

The 11-track album is a celebration of African identity, resilience, and cultural heritage, exploring themes of love, women’s rights, spirituality, and tradition. Each song pulses with the essence of Africa, embracing its rich traditions while adapting to a changing world.

Kasiva, stepping into a ground-breaking new chapter in her career, describes Desturi as deeply personal and transformative.

“This album is like a birthing ceremony for me,” Kasiva said. “It’s where I share my heart’s deepest conversations, honouring the rhythm that has always guided me. Desturi is about reflecting on our traditions, choosing what serves us, and giving ourselves permission to simply become.”

Among the standout tracks is ‘Twende Mbele’, a rousing, instrument-driven anthem celebrating African leadership, unity, and resilience. Against the backdrop of recent social and political unrest across the continent, the song serves as a motivational call to action.

“I wrote ‘Twende Mbele’ to inspire Africans from all backgrounds to keep moving forward socially, economically, culturally, and environmentally,” she said. “Every step forward leads to victory, economic liberation, peace, and stability.”

Through its rhythms and melodies, Desturi redefines African music, blending traditional influences with modern innovation. The track ‘Ndikweteela’ draws from the Maloya rhythms of La Réunion, the Chakacha traditions of coastal Kenya, and the energetic Isukuti beats of Western Kenya, creating a mesmerising fusion of past and present.