NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan musician Mejja has unveiled an unconventional concept for the music video of his latest single, Mboka, announcing that the production will feature ordinary Kenyans at work rather than the glamorous models and dancers commonly associated with music videos.
The award-winning artist is inviting entrepreneurs and small business owners from across the country to participate in an open challenge that could see them featured in the official video while promoting their businesses to a national audience.
Under the initiative, participants are required to create short videos using the official Mboka audio while showcasing their businesses, professions or daily economic activities. Six winners will be selected to appear in the final music video, where their businesses will receive permanent visibility as part of the production.
The project has quickly attracted attention on social media, with hundreds of Kenyans sharing videos highlighting their enterprises, from food vendors and mechanics to boda boda riders, barbers, farmers, shopkeepers and artisans.
Celebrating Kenya’s working class
The concept behind Mboka represents a departure from traditional music video production, which often centres on choreographed performances, luxury lifestyles and video vixens.
Instead, Mejja’s vision is to document the realities of everyday Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on entrepreneurship, self-employment and informal work.
The title Mboka, a popular Sheng term commonly associated with hustling, working or grinding to make a living, reflects a theme that resonates strongly with millions of young Kenyans navigating a difficult economic environment.
Rather than creating a fictional narrative, the video is expected to highlight authentic workplaces and real people earning a living through determination and enterprise.
The selected participants will not only appear in the production but will also receive exposure for their businesses through one of the country’s most recognised music platforms.
Social media response
The announcement has generated widespread discussion online, with many Kenyans praising the initiative for recognising ordinary workers who are rarely represented in mainstream entertainment.
Entrepreneurs from different counties have already begun posting entries using the song, turning the challenge into a nationwide showcase of small businesses and grassroots enterprise.
Some social media users have described the campaign as a refreshing shift away from celebrity-focused productions, while others have noted that it mirrors the realities of an economy where self-employment remains the primary source of income for many households.
The challenge has also sparked conversations about the role of artists in promoting local businesses and highlighting everyday stories that often go unnoticed.
A career built on relatable stories
Born Major Nameye Khadija, Mejja has built a reputation as one of Kenya’s most distinctive musical voices by incorporating Sheng language, humour and everyday experiences into his work.
Throughout his career, he has earned a loyal following by telling stories that reflect the realities of ordinary Kenyans, from relationships and social interactions to economic struggles and urban life.
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Unlike many contemporary artists who focus heavily on aspirational lifestyles, Mejja’s music often draws inspiration from experiences familiar to his audience.
That approach has helped him remain relevant across different generations of listeners while cementing his place as one of Kenya’s most recognisable entertainers.
Part of a broader trend
The Mboka project also reflects a broader shift within Kenya’s creative industry, where some artists are increasingly using visual storytelling to spotlight communities, culture and social realities.
In recent years, several musicians have moved beyond conventional performance-based videos, opting instead for productions that showcase local identities, entrepreneurship and grassroots experiences.
Industry observers say such approaches can help strengthen connections between artists and audiences while giving visibility to sectors of society that rarely receive mainstream attention.
For Mejja, whose music has long celebrated the resilience and humour of everyday Kenyans, the Mboka challenge appears to be a natural extension of a career built around telling the stories of ordinary people.
As entries continue to pour in, the project is shaping up not only as a music video but also as a celebration of the entrepreneurs, workers and hustlers who keep Kenya’s economy moving every day.
