Moji Shortbabaa: My mum gave birth to me when she was 16
By Steve Ireri, March 1, 2026Gospel singer Moji Shortbabaa has revealed that he was born when his mother was just 16 years old, the result of a teenage pregnancy.
Speaking during an interview with JCC’s lady bishop, Kathy Kiuna, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, Moji said he is the firstborn in a family of three.
However, he explained that during his childhood, he often considered himself the ninth child in a family of eight, due to being born out of a teenage pregnancy.
“My real name is James Muhia. I am the firstborn in a family of three, but that was not the beginning. If you had asked me when I was 11 years old, I would have said I was the ninth born in a family of eight because I was born out of a teenage pregnancy,” he shared.
The ‘Vimbada’ hitmaker said that his early identity and family experience were shaped by these circumstances, which he only fully understood as he grew older.
He shared that in his early years, he lived with his grandmother because his mother was still staying at her own mother’s home.
“My mum gave birth to me when she was around 16 years old. Up until my preteens, I lived with my grandmother, while my mum stayed at her mother’s place,” he said.
Moji revealed that he only started living with his father during his pre-teen years, marking a significant shift in his upbringing.
He also said that his family moved several times during his early childhood. The musician recalled that he spent his earliest years in Maai Mahiu and Kawangware before relocating to Nairobi at the age of two, where he grew up surrounded by love and encouragement.
“This started in Maai Mahiu and Kawangware, and then when I was two years old, we moved to Nairobi,” he said.
Moji further explained that his upbringing fostered his creativity, noting that he was always encouraged to explore his talents and express himself.
He said that this early nurturing environment helped shape his artistic personality and gave him the confidence to pursue music and content creation.
“I grew up surrounded by a lot of love and encouragement, which helped nurture my creativity,” he said.
The musician further revealed that he has always been naturally quiet, a trait he considers intrinsic to his character, but said that it did not hinder his creative expression or his ability to connect with people through his work.
“I was always encouraged to be creative. By the way, naturally, I am a very quiet person,” Moji added.