Naomi Wachira

Naomi Wachira, a Kenyan-born singer-songwriter based in Yakima, weaves music that radiates with the luminous intimacy of Afro-folk, spiritual lyricism, and unshakable hope.

Her debut EP, African Girl (2012), showcased a voice that was both defiant and tender. Her self-titled album, Naomi Wachira (2014), and Song of Lament (2017) followed, each weaving stories of migration, resilience, and belonging. In 2023, she released Sometimes, I Worry EP, which reflected the joys and uncertainties of motherhood. In 2025, Naomi took a significant step into self-production, releasing Hold the Line and An Anthology on Love. The latter, praised by Business Daily Africa as “an exploration of love and healing,” was a testament to her growth as an artist. In that feature, Naomi credited Tracy Chapman as the catalyst that convinced her to embrace her unique voice and sing her own song. This embrace is channeled into her music, which resists easy categorization while seeking the longevity of her musical heroes.

Praised for her haunting vocals and unpretentious artistry, Naomi has received recognition for her contributions to the music scene. She was named Seattle Weekly’s Best Folk Singer in 2013 and honored at the African Achievement Awards for Best African Female Artist—Pop/Fusion in 2020. Her performances have taken her across the stage with artists from Ziggy Marley to Death Cab for Cutie, leaving an indelible mark on audiences wherever she sings.

Naomi’s work serves as an ongoing invitation: to witness without turning away, to heal through love, and to remember that beauty, against all odds, still breathes in the spaces between darkness and dawn.