Ben Githae

Ben Githae is used to success. He's had numerous hit songs and albums, and enjoyed great airplay over the years. His first album, Mwiri Uyu (My Body) was released in 1996, and he's since followed that up with five others, including the Kisima nominated 2006 album Milanza na Roho. Yet it's his recent album, MABATARO which is gaining him significant attention. Driven by the hugely popular and much demanded Maya Ni Mabataro (Kikuyu for 'These are my requests'), the album has gotten him serious crossover attention.

This peasant's son turned inspirational musician, who's toured both regionally and internationally, is up for three major awards; Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Central Song of the Year.
The fact that a vernacular artist has broken through such difficult categories, and is in it with a really good chance, is fantastic and sends an important message about the huge and growing popularity of vernacular music.