Kasiva Mutua may have learned drumming from folktales told by her grandmother, but has developed her own knack for powerful beats. One of Kenya’s leading percussionists and drummers, her expressive playing can tell a story on its own, or keep a band perfectly in the pocket. Today, she’s an international touring percussionist, integrating African traditional music with modern styles such as jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, funk and more. One of only a few African women playing percussion continentally and internationally, Kasiva plays music to celebrate her community’s spirit and elevate the place of the African woman in music.

Kasiva has been involved in numerous intercultural musical collaborations like The Nile Project, 1Beat, x-Jazz women, Coke Studio Africa, etc. She has played in a number of festivals continentally and internationally including Global Fest, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Sauti Za Busara, Asheville Percussion Festival, SAKIFO, and has worked with reputable musicians like Kirk Whalum, the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Anthony B, Nomoucounda Cissoko, and more. She is a member of Kenyan based Nairobi Horns Project, and backs a number of musicians in Kenya like Fadhilee, Maia, Silayio, etc.

Citing the girl child and gender equality as issues she is passionate about, Kasiva continues to motivate women to diversify their positions in music and inspire the young generation to continue preserving their culture.

Kasiva Mutua may have learned drumming from folktales told by her grandmother, but has developed her own knack for powerful beats. One of Kenya’s leading percussionists and drummers, her expressive playing can tell a story on its own, or keep a band perfectly in the pocket. Today, she’s an international touring percussionist, integrating African traditional music with modern styles such as jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, funk and more. One of only a few African women playing percussion continentally and internationally, Kasiva plays music to celebrate her community’s spirit and elevate the place of the African woman in music.

Kasiva has been involved in numerous intercultural musical collaborations like The Nile Project, 1Beat, x-Jazz women, Coke Studio Africa, etc. She has played in a number of festivals continentally and internationally including Global Fest, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Sauti Za Busara, Asheville Percussion Festival, SAKIFO, and has worked with reputable musicians like Kirk Whalum, the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Anthony B, Nomoucounda Cissoko, and more. She is a member of Kenyan based Nairobi Horns Project, and backs a number of musicians in Kenya like Fadhilee, Maia, Silayio, etc.

Citing the girl child and gender equality as issues she is passionate about, Kasiva continues to motivate women to diversify their positions in music and inspire the young generation to continue preserving their culture.

• FOUNDER, MOTRA
• TED GLOBAL FELLOW, 2017
• OKAY AFRICA 100 WOMEN