Kasiva Mutua – Desturi (Delicious Tunes, 2025)
Gifted Kenyan percussionist Kasiva Mutua makes a striking debut as a solo artist with Desturi, an outstanding album that expands her creative identity beyond rhythm. Best known as East Africa’s most dynamic percussionist, she now adds singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer to her artistic profile.
Deeply grounded in Swahili traditions, Desturi brings together ancestral East African call-and-response structures with West African polyrhythms and contemporary production. Over 11 tracks, finger-picked guitar lines, handclaps, and layered percussion interweave with clear melodic hooks, creating a rich, cross-generational sound.
Lyrically, Desturi explores themes such as African identity, spirituality, love, and women’s reproductive rights. Indeed, Mutua’s voice, both delicate and resolute, offers a narrative that connects the personal and the collective, drawing from lived experience while honoring cultural legacy. As a consequence, her work speaks to the evolving role of African women in music and society, while remaining anchored in heritage.
Kasiva Mutua shared: “Desturi is a birthing ceremony for me, where I finally share my heart’s deepest conversations, exploring love, women’s issues, and Africa, all while honoring the rhythm that has always guided me. Desturi is my heart shared with the world, where silent conversations and unspoken truths come to life. It’s a new way of looking at our traditions, choosing what serves us, and giving permission to simply be.”
The focus track, “Aoko,” is a deeply personal elegy. Inspired by a friend’s loss, the song memorializes an unborn child who visits in a dream with words of solace: “Don’t be afraid, mama. Forgive yourself because I know you chose me.” Through understated instrumentation and emotive vocals, it offers space for mourning, forgiveness, and reflection.
Musicians: Kasiva Mutua on lead vocals, backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar; Mackinlay Mutsembi on trumpet; Hermann Ogulla on synth bass, strings, electric piano, additional drums; Amani Baya on drums; Michael Munene on bass; George Nyoro on keyboards; Mokua Rabai on saxophone; Victor Kinama on trombone; Mabiza Bokwala “MabizaPro” on lead guitar, additional acoustic guitar; Wd Abbo on lead vocals; Brian Sigu on lead vocals; Lulu Abdalla on lead vocals; Komora Ayub on lead guitar; Amanuel Esayas on additional acoustic guitars; Toby “Tinashe” Koech on lead guitar; Jack Muguna on additional lead guitar; and Kanyita Kanyita on additional lead guitar.
Cover: Photography & Artwork Design by Elie Obati “Kidd Volt.”
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.