Sauti Sol member Willis Chimano has opened up about a deeply personal moment from his teenage years, revealing how his mother confronted him about his sexuality long before he felt ready to speak about it himself.
In a recent BBC interview, the Friday Feeling singer reflected on the close bond he shared with his mother while growing up, including helping her choose outfits for work.
That intimacy, he explained, eventually led to a conversation that would permanently alter their relationship.
According to Chimano, his mother initiated the discussion after noticing changes in his behaviour during his late teens.
Growing Up Under Scrutiny
At the time, Chimano said he was struggling internally and acting out in ways that were unfamiliar to both him and his family.
Concerned, his mother asked to speak with him privately in his bedroom and directly questioned whether he was attracted to men.
Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, Chimano admitted that he denied it several times.
Still living under his parents’ roof at 17 or 18, he described the pressure as intense. His mother, who was deeply religious, wanted clarity before hearing speculation from others.
Faith, Fear and Expectations
When he eventually acknowledged the truth, the moment became highly emotional. Chimano recalled tears, prayers, and references to scripture, as well as being asked whether he was willing to change.
He said he agreed at the time because he did not know how else to respond.
Although his parents continued to show him love, he revealed that days later he began receiving materials about conversion and stories of people who had supposedly changed their sexuality.
Choosing Honesty Over Silence
That experience forced Chimano to confront his reality. One Sunday afternoon, he decided to speak up again, firmly telling his parents that he was gay and that it was not something that could be altered.
He explained that understanding his life would require effort on their part and made it clear that he would not deny who he was. That conversation, he said, marked a turning point in his decision to live openly and honestly.
Public Support and Backlash
Following the interview, fans flooded social media with messages of encouragement, praising Chimano’s honesty and resilience. Many applauded his courage and urged him to continue living authentically.
His journey into the public eye, however, has not been without cost. In 2018, a photo of him with his partner surfaced online, effectively outing him and making him one of the first mainstream Kenyan pop stars to be publicly identified as gay.
He later revealed that he had carefully managed his image for years, fearing that openness could harm Sauti Sol’s success.
The backlash that followed included online abuse, threats, and accusations that his identity conflicted with African culture.
Standing Firm on a Global Stage
Despite the risks, Chimano fully embraced his identity in 2021. Rather than slowing him down, that period coincided with major milestones for Sauti Sol, including signing with Universal Music.
As a solo artist, he has faced resistance, including the 2022 shutdown of his Love and Harmony festival by police.
Still, he has continued to perform internationally, release new music, and work on a memoir and solo album expected in 2026.
