Kenyan singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Liboi has officially released her highly anticipated debut album, HATUA, marking a major milestone in her musical journey.
HATUA is a deeply personal project exploring themes of healing, identity, accountability and transformation through a rich fusion of African musical traditions and contemporary production.
It incorporates indigenous instruments, including the kalimba, litungu and African percussion, blending them with modern soundscapes to encourage listeners to reflect on their emotions and place in an ever-changing world.
The title HATUA, the Swahili word for "steps" or "action", symbolises more than movement.
According to Liboi, the album poses an important question; "Now that I feel and understand, how do I show up in the world?" It is a call to intentional living, personal growth and collective responsibility.
Liboi said the album was conceived during a period of intense self-reflection, when she began questioning not only the world around her but also her own role within it.
She describes the project as both a mirror and an invitation, reflecting realities such as fear, injustice, isolation and survival while offering a path toward compassion, community, mindfulness and healing.
Beyond its lyrical themes, HATUA reflects Liboi's mission to create safe, introspective spaces through music while preserving and reimagining African sonic traditions for modern audiences.
"HATUA is a journey," Liboi said. "If Nairobi asks us to confront the world we've created and Bi Wadhi reminds us that we don't have to carry it alone, then the rest of the album asks, 'Now what?' Every song is a step forward, backwards, or standing still, but still a step."
She hopes listeners finish the album feeling lighter, not because every problem has been solved, but because they remember they do not have to face life alone.
"This album came from a season of learning that healing isn't a destination; it's a practice. It's messy, it's not linear and it's often communal. Kenya and East Africa have been carrying both exhaustion and resilience, and that found its way into the music. I wanted to create an album that not only acknowledges pain but also imagines possibility."
HATUA also features collaborations with artistes and creatives including Muhonja, WD Abbo and Modest Chabari, whose contributions add sonic richness and emotional depth to the project.