Willis Austin Chimano, the soulful voice behind Sauti Sol, never imagined he would publicly embrace his identity as a gay man.
In a candid interview with The Guardian, Chimano revealed the silent struggle he carried for over a decade. From the band’s formation in 2005 until 2018, he “wore a mask” — carefully curating every word, gesture, and outfit to hide who he truly was.
“I had to do everything in my power to keep my sexuality hidden,” he admitted, the weight of secrecy still palpable in his words.
Though his bandmates knew and supported him, Chimano feared that coming out could overshadow the music and growth of Sauti Sol. “I just wanted to keep a clean representation of me. My queerness would have been a scandal,” he said.
It wasn’t until 2018 that his sexuality entered the public eye, when a photo of him with his partner surfaced on social media and mainstream media alike. Being the first Kenyan pop star to come out as gay brought an intense wave of scrutiny.
“There was vitriol, oh my God, so much. People were saying ‘you’re a sinner’, ‘it goes against the laws of nature’, ‘it’s against African culture’. There’s a larger societal belief that what [queer people] are doing is wrong. People don’t understand,” Chimano recalled.
By 2021, Chimano made his first official declaration as a proud member of the queer community. But the path forward was far from smooth.
His solo EP, Heavy is the Crown, released in 2022 as Sauti Sol prepared for a break, faced hurdles even before it hit the airwaves. A festival he organized, Love and Harmony, was abruptly shut down by authorities.
“The cops were just like, ‘Oh, you’re coming here to do a gay event in my jurisdiction, and we’re not going to allow that to ever happen,’” Chimano said. Undeterred, he took to social media, posting on X:
“Bullies never win! You may have gotten your way this time. You’ve only made my resolve stronger…. The show that I’ve been working so hard on will be seen. That is a fact!…”
Today, Chimano’s courage is resounding. He has performed his EP across Europe and Australia, enchanting audiences in London, Cardiff, and Paris. He is currently penning a memoir and preparing his debut solo album, set for release in 2026.
The British Council has recognized him as a cultural ambassador, spotlighting his role in the UK-Kenya Season of Culture — a testament to his artistry and the power of living authentically.
Chimano’s journey is more than music; it is a story of resilience, courage, and breaking barriers in a society still learning to embrace love in all its forms.
