Watendawili: The rise of Uncle-Nephew duo taking afropop by storm
By William Muthama, March 29, 2026Kenya’s Afropop scene has a new story to tell, and it’s being led by Watendawili, an uncle-nephew duo whose unique blend of R&B, Afrobeat, and Luo rhythms is turning heads across East Africa.
Comprising Israel Onyach (Onyach Pala) and Eugine Ywaya (Ywaya Tajiri), the pair has managed to combine family chemistry with creative flair, producing music that feels both personal and relatable.
Their journey began on Nairobi’s open mic stages, where Israel, performing with his guitar, spotted Ywaya delivering spoken-word poetry.
At the time, neither knew they were actually uncle and nephew. Impressed by Ywaya’s raw talent, Israel encouraged him to audition for the prestigious Sauti Academy.
Together, they auditioned as “The Ones,” earning scholarships and eventually signing with Sol Generation Records as part of the trio Kaskazini.
After gaining valuable industry experience, they parted ways with the label to pursue creative freedom, rebranding as Watendawili four years ago.
Milestones and breakthroughs
In just a few years, the duo has achieved remarkable milestones. Their music dominated Kenyan airwaves in 2025, earning them recognition as one of the country’s standout acts.
Their sophomore EP, Hekaya, released in early 2026, debuted at No. 2 on Apple Music Kenya charts before climbing to No. 1. The six-track project, which has produced hits like Lavender.
Watendawili’s signature sound shines through hits like “Inakubalika” (feat. Matata), which became a massive TikTok and club anthem with millions of streams.
Other fan favourites include Cham Thum (Atoti), Sio Siri, Beba, Tumia Pesa, Lavender (feat. Hornsphere), Ex Wangu, and Ngai Enda.
Earlier releases under Kaskazini and solo tracks like Mangware helped lay the foundation for their rise.
The duo has built a reputation for memorable collaborations, working with artists like Matata, Xenia Manasseh, Vic West & Iyanii, Vijana Barubaru, Charisma, Maya Amolo, Serro, and Tipsy Gee.
What sets Watendawili apart is their ability to blend contemporary Afropop with traditional Luo rhythms while keeping their storytelling grounded and relatable. Their family bond adds an unmistakable chemistry, making their music feel both intimate and universal.