About Evelyn
Evelyn Wanjiru Agundabweni is an award-winning gospel artist renowned for her exceptional talent and global influence. With five albums and hit songs such as Mungu Mkuu, Na Iwe Maombi, and Asante, she has toured and performed in countries including the United States, Australia, India, South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda.
She has shared stages with international gospel icons like Michael W. Smith, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Chandler Moore, Sinach, Mary Mary, and Nathaniel Bassey, and collaborated with artists such as Tembalami (Zimbabwe), Mkhululi Bhebhe (South Africa), Celestine Donkor (Ghana), Essence of Worship and Bella Kombo (Tanzania), and Enkay (Nigeria).
Early life
Evelyn started her music career at the age of nine, singing in a local church and school music festivals. She is the fourth-born of Helen Muhonja and Crispin Kinyua in a family of five, born in Nairobi and raised in the Nakuru Kenya Freehold Estate. She attended Saint Mary's Girls Primary and Langalanga Secondary School.
In her early education, she was deeply involved in drama and the school choir. She later joined Tears Group, Nakuru, for a course in music before benefiting from the Government of Kenya at the 2010 Talent Academy at Kabarak University.
Music career
Commercial success came when music producer Agundabweni Akweyu noted her talent. Together they founded Bwenieve Productions. Her debut album "Mazingira" — later re-branded as "Waweza" — earned her a nomination as Worship Song and New Artist of the Year at the 2012 Groove Awards.
The song "Mazingira" was selected as the theme song of the Kenyan government's Mau Forest reforestation campaign in 2010. The incumbent Prime Minister appointed Wanjiru as the official music ambassador for Mau Forest. Her second album title track "Mungu Mkuu" won the 2015 Groove Awards Album of the Year.
From her third album "Matendo", "Tulia" — a collaboration with Vick Kitonga — won the 2016 Groove Awards Collaboration of the Year. "Nikufahamu" was nominated for Afrima in the category 'Inspiration African Female Artist of the Year 2016.' In 2021 she released her fifth album "Mwanga" — Swahili for Light — produced live at The C.U.E.A L.R.C Auditorium.
Music and media ventures
Through her label Bwenieve, Evelyn co-launched Lifting Voices — a captivating gospel program featuring talented musicians sharing their faith and personal encounters with God. Since 2018, she has hosted the annual Praise Atmosphere event. The 2022 edition drew over 11,000 attendees and was graced by Her Excellency, First Lady Rachel Ruto, while the 2024 event welcomed 20,000 attendees. Through Praise Atmosphere Academy, Evelyn mentors and nurtures aspiring musicians.
Business ventures
In addition to her music and media endeavors, Evelyn has a brand of honey known as Bwenieve Honey, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit beyond the arts. She and her husband also manage Bwenieve Productions, a fashion house (Bwenieve Clothesline), and other businesses.
Personal life
On April 7, 2012, Wanjiru married producer Agundabweni Akweyu at Buruburu Baptist Church Nairobi. After a decade-long faith journey documented in her book "The Wait", they were blessed with their son, Mshindi Akweyu Agundabweni, born on April 6, 2022 — a living testament to their enduring faith.
