Fena Gitu

Fena Gitu (born 25 April 1991), also known as the "Fenamenal Woman," is a Kenyan rapper, producer, songwriter and fashion entrepreneur. She is best known for her single Doing Her Thing Tho.

Education

Gitu was born on 25 April 1991 in Nairobi, Kenya, and attended Precious Blood Secondary School (Riruta).[1] She studied International Relations and Psychology at the United States International University.[2]

Career

Gitu is a rapper, producer and songwriter,[3][4] also known as the "Fenamenal Woman."[5] Gitu began her career as a gospel singer.[6] She has collaborated with artists including Sylvia Robina, also known as "Rawbeen;"[7] Chris Kaiga,[8] Okello Max;[9] Mejja;[10] Sauti Sol;[10] and Wangechi.[11]

In 2017, Gitu performed at the Afro-punk Celebration in New York City, launched the Fena Gitu Foundation and won Best Female Artist at the Groove Awards in Kenya.[10] She has performed in a personal concert series called "Fena Unplugged."[12]

In 2019, Gitu was featured on the "Boom Queens" takeover in celebration of International Women’s Day on the audio streaming service Boomplay.[13]

When her former producer Jaaz Odongo was accused of sexual assault by Janice Iche in 2020, Gitu stopped working with him and released a press statement saying that: "I have decided to no longer work with Jaaz or anyone else that is accused of sexual assault or other misconduct. It's been difficult to navigate, but I just don't see a different way forward at this time."[14][15]

In 2021, Gitu launched the FenamenalxDenri collection of leather travel bags with the brand Denri Africa.[16] She is also a Smirnoff vodka brand ambassador.[17][18]

Gitu performed with an orchestra at the International Women's Day Concert at the Kenya Conservatoire of Music in 2022.[19] In 2023, Gitu was named as one of Meta's eight "rising African stars", to mark Africa Day.[20] In 2024, Gitu was appointed EQUAL Africa ambassador for audio streaming service Spotify.[21][22]

In 2023, Gitu performed at celebrations for the 60th Jamhuri Day.[23] In 2024, she performed alongside artists including Wurld and Eric Wainaina at the Pan-African music festival Blankets and Wine at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.[24]

Discography

Albums

  • Fena (2011)[10]
  • Unleashed (2019)[25]
  • Fenamenal (2021)
  • LAL (2023), which stands for "Love. Art. Lust"[26][27]

Singles

  • Ndoto (2017)
  • Doing Her Thing Tho (2017)[5]
  • Rise Up (2022)[28]
  • Love Is (2023)[29][30]
  • Let Me Go (2023)
  • Pogna Matin (2023)[9]
  • Spirit (2023)[31]
  • Pretty Girl (2025)

Personal life

It has been speculated in the Kenyan media that Gitu is a lesbian.[32][33] Gitu has said of the rumours about her sexuality that: "I’m just single and out here but I’m focusing on my work. As for my sexuality, it’s no one’s business. Even you when people are always on your case in blogs and stuff, it’s no one’s business what you’re doing in your home and I don’t wanna feed that, I’m here because I’m a musician first."[34]

In 2023, there was media speculation that Gitu was dating the Marini Naturals CEO Michelle Ntallami, which both women have denied.[35][36][37] Gitu has also been rumoured to be dating television personality Edith Kimani.[38]

References

  1. ^ "Five Kenyan celebrities who were bright students". Standard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  2. ^ Muia, John. "Rapper Fena Gitu explains why she never dated in campus". The Standard. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  3. ^ Rajula, Thomas. "Kenya: Why Rapper Fena Is Rooting for Girl Power". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via allAfrica.com.
  4. ^ "Remaining Fena-menal: Meet Kenya's most sought-after female artist". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b Fena Gitu (12 June 2017). Fena Gitu - Doing Her Thing Tho. Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ TV47 Kenya (16 August 2023). Fena Gitu: "I started as a gospel artiste then Nairobi happened.". Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Fena and Rawbeen romance". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  8. ^ "I'm happy to see the process finally paid off – singer Chris Kaiga". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  9. ^ a b Fena Gitu (4 October 2023). Fena Gitu ft. Okello Max - Pogna Matin (Official Music Video). Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ a b c d "Top 10 Things To Know about Fena Gitu". Discover Walks Blog. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Kenyan Stars Set to Release Collaboration Track". Capital FM. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via allAfrica.com.
  12. ^ "Kenya's Fena Gitu speaks on her musical journey". CNBC Africa. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Boomplay celebrates women in music on international Women's Day | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Fena's ex- producer responds after she dropped him following rape allegations". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Fena Gitu drops popular producer over sexual assault accusations". Kenyan Bulletin. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Fena Gitu goes couture, unleashes travel bag collection". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Brand activation is more effective than normal advertising". Business Daily (Kenya). 19 December 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Are you the next 'Smirnoff Battle of the Beats' legend?". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Kenya Conservatoire of Music Hosts International Women's Day Concert". Capital FM. 9 March 2022 – via allAfrica.com.
  20. ^ Chikelu, Chinelo (20 May 2023). "Meta 2023 Campaign Celebrates Africa's Rising Stars". Leadership Media Group. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Spotify announces Kenyan artist Fena Gitu, as its EQUAL Africa ambassador". GQ. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  22. ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth (7 February 2024). "Fena Gitu named Spotify's EQUAL ambassador opens up on passion, hobbies". Nairobi News. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  23. ^ Etyang, Perpetua (12 December 2023). "Big names set to perform during Jamhuri Day celebrations". The Star. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Fena Gitu talks longevity and the evolution in her music". Nairobi News. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Fena unleashes her new album". The Star. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Fena Gitu: What my upcoming album 'LAL' means". Daily Nation. 21 March 2023. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  27. ^ "Exclusive: Fena Gitu unveils new album meaning, #RoadToLAL explained". Nairobi News. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  28. ^ Fena Gitu (17 July 2022). Fena Gitu - Rise Up feat. Dufla Diligon (Official Music Video). Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "Positive Vibes Only: Fena Gitu Shows Her Appreciation For What "Love Is" In This Intimate Performance". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Kenya: Fena Gitu releases new single Love Is". Music In Africa. 14 April 2023. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Dedicated Fena Gitu took a whole year to write deeply personal song, 'Spirit'". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Fena Gitu remains stoic after lesbianism claims". Standard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  33. ^ Tungu, Kahawa (31 August 2020). "Did Fena Gitu Just Confirm Lesbian Rumours in New Music Video?". Kahawatungu. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  34. ^ "Fena Gitu speaks on reports of being a lesbian". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  35. ^ Waruinge, Maureen (15 January 2023). "Fena Gitu denies dating Michelle Ntalami". The Star. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Fena Gitu pours her heart out in response to rumours of dating Michelle Ntalami". Pulselive Kenya. Archived from the original on 23 June 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  37. ^ "Michelle Ntalami: I am androsexual, Fena is a very good friend of mine". Standard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  38. ^ Salasya, Bill Cyril (3 August 2023). "LGBTQ Kenyan celebrities: 10 famous people who are in the category". www.tuko.co.ke. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
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