When passion meets purpose: How Akothee became Ambassador

Esther Akoth, better known as Akothee, hardly conforms to expectations. Most Kenyans know her for her colourful personal life, whether belting chart-toppers, raising five children under media glare, having many baby-daddies, getting married and divorcing, or launching bold business ventures, she has built her brand on audacity, candour, and charisma. Now, the woman once deemed too controversial for polite company is making boardroom decisions that shape the future of Homa Bay County.

Today, the ‘Muje’ and ‘Sweet Love’ singer wears a different hat. She is the official brand ambassador for Homa Bay County, appointed by Governor Gladys Wanga. It is a move that signals both political acumen and a changing national narrative: the power of celebrity, if disciplined, can drive development.

Taking the good news to her social media pages, Akothee expressed her appreciation and commitment to serving Homa Bay to the best of her ability.

“I am honoured to officially serve as the Brand Ambassador for Homa Bay County, a role that aligns deeply with my passion for community, culture, and national pride. My sincere gratitude goes to Her Excellency Governor Gladys Wanga KODISO for this incredible opportunity and for her commitment to putting Homa Bay on the global map. Together, we run for growth, for heritage, and for the future,” she wrote.

True to her energetic style, Akothee announced a major event in her new portfolio: the 2nd Annual Roan Antelope Half Marathon 2025. The race is billed as a fitness, unity, and tourism campaign that positions Homa Bay as a must-visit destination within the Great Lakes region.

Yet Akothee’s ambition extends beyond a single event. As a marketing consultant and corporate brand strategist, she is working on initiatives under the #ExperienceHomaBay banner: tourism marketing, cultural diplomacy through the proposed Dala Luo Cultural Centre, youth empowerment via partnerships and talent workshops, and investor engagement through brand activations.

Her overarching goal? To rebrand Homa Bay County into a competitive, attractive hub for tourism, talent, and investment, both locally and globally.

Being an artiste for years, Akothee says this teaches one to evolve.

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“My motivation came from my deep-rooted love for community development and creating tangible, lasting impact. I have always been passionate about telling African stories authentically, from the grassroots up,” Akothee told The Nairobian.

Representing Homa Bay, she says, gave her a rare platform: not just to influence but to implement. And implementation, not optics, is what she insists on.

Now 42, Akothee knows the power of image. An award-winning musician who built her name from scratch, she is among Kenya’s most recognisable public figures.

“I have used my music to heal, provoke thought, and build confidence. Now, as a household brand, I bring that influence to county development. I understand people, I speak their language, and they trust my voice. That is the value I bring into governance,” the prominent businesswoman said.

Same stage

But has she given up music altogether? Not quite.

“My singing career is not on pause; it has evolved. Music was my launchpad, but now I use it strategically to amplify causes. I still create, perform, and release when I want to express something powerful.”

That evolution has also changed the way fans engage with her.

“My fans respect that I no longer just entertain; I impact society. The difference is, today, I can perform a song and launch a county tourism strategy on the same stage. That is growth.”

Representing a county government might require other public figures to tone down their voice or social media footprint. But for Akothee Foundation CEO, who has often challenged conventional notions of femininity and respectability, the balancing act comes naturally.

“As a corporate brand, I understand image management. I don’t need to be policed. I self-regulate because I know the weight my name carries. I will still be authentic, bold, and expressive, but now with a layer of diplomacy and responsibility. I am not diluting who I am; I am elevating how I deliver the message.”

As President of the Akothee Foundation and Director of the Akothee Academy, she says she leads with transparency and clarity. “My team and legal advisors ensure every engagement is above board. This is not a show, this is governance with flair.”

Still, the public may wonder whether her authentic self, sometimes irreverent, often emotional, can survive under the constraints of governance.

Akothee sets the record straight.

“Authenticity is my brand DNA. I don’t wear masks. I wear with purpose. Being real and raw is what made Akothee who she is. I won’t stop being myself. I’ll just express myself with greater intentionality. And if anything, this role will challenge the narrative of what professionalism looks like. It doesn’t have to be boring. It can be real.”

Being a mother of five and a businesswoman who has known both wealth and adversity, Akothee says she intends to bring empathy to public engagement.

“As a mother, I know what it means to raise a family with limited means. As an entrepreneur, I know what joblessness feels like. I will continue to listen to citizens through town halls, digital platforms, mentorships, and ground activations. I am not here to decorate events. I am here to drive impact. People will feel seen and heard, not just managed.”

Mirror

She insists her ambassadorship isn’t about her. It is about unlocking Homa Bay’s potential.

“For the county, tourism and investment will surge through proper branding and storytelling. The youth will be activated through talent incubation and exposure. The county’s image will shift from obscurity to national and global relevance.”

For herself, she says, this marks a career pinnacle.

“For myself: I solidify my transition from entertainer to nation-builder. I position myself for future continental leadership in policy and empowerment. I prove that the arts are not just culture—they are currency and capital when managed professionally.”

Akothee’s career started in 2008, and she has since collaborated with African giants like Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Nigeria’s Flavour. Her hit tracks include Sweet Love, Give It To Me, Oyoyo, and even the Kamba-language Mwitu Asa.

“I am not the same girl who held a microphone ten years ago. I am a movement, a mentor, and a mirror reflecting what is possible when passion meets purpose,” she says.