Award-winning musician Nviiri the Storyteller has made a dramatic lifestyle shift in an effort to safeguard his mental health and creative clarity. The singer revealed that he has abandoned his smartphone in favour of a basic Nokia handset and moved out of Nairobi, choosing the quieter environment of Limuru to regain peace of mind.
Speaking on the Iko Nini podcast, Nviiri explained that the “digital detox” was a necessary escape from the constant noise and pressure of online engagement.
He said he ditched his smartphone to “escape online destruction and protect his peace,” a move that reflects the growing strain celebrities face from social media scrutiny and relentless public attention.
The musician now enjoys a slower, calmer life in the cooler, more serene Limuru countryside, a stark departure from his former city life.
Nviiri — full name Nviiri Sande — has one of the most remarkable rise-to-fame stories in Kenya’s music industry. He began as a videographer shooting behind-the-scenes content for Sauti Sol. His unexpected breakthrough came when Bien-Aimé Baraza overheard him singing and playing guitar.
Bien famously told him: “Never come with a camera again. Come with a song.”
This moment pushed Nviiri to take music seriously.
He went on to co-write ‘Melanin’, the hit single by Sauti Sol featuring Patoranking, released off their 2017 album Afrikan Sauce. The track became a continental success and cemented Nviiri’s artistic potential.
Nviiri later signed with Sol Generation Records, officially joining the Sauti Sol collective. Since then, he has released multiple hits known for their emotional depth and signature storytelling style.
His breakout solo hit ‘Pombe Sigara’ (2019) amassed millions of views and streams, while ‘Extravaganza’ — a collaboration under Sol Generation — became another massive success.
