Amani (Cecilia Wairimu)

Cecilia Wairimu, known by the stage name Amani, is a Kenyan singer and songwriter who began her career in secular pop and R&B before transitioning to gospel music in 2018. Born on November 28, 1980, she attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, where she was a member of the a cappella group Sobriety. She went on to earn a degree in International Business Administration from the United States International University (USIU). In 1999, she signed a record deal with Ogopa Deejays.

Amani released her debut album, Tamani, in 2006. The album included tracks such as “Ninanoki” featuring Nameless, “Missing My Baby,” “Tonight,” and “Kiboko Changu” featuring Radio and Weasel. Her achievements in secular music include winning the Best Female category at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, as well as receiving recognition from the Pearl of Africa Music Awards, Kisima Awards, and Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.

In 2018, Amani publicly announced that she had become born again and transitioned from secular to gospel music. That same year she released the song “My God,” followed by other gospel tracks including “Upendo” and “Jina Lake Yesu.” She is married to Chinasa Udeala, with whom she has a child.