Cleaner by day, music star by night

For Milly Achieng’ Onyango, the scent of lemon polish and cleaning products is a constant companion in one of Nairobi’s bustling office buildings.

By day, she moves efficiently through cubicles, leaving behind sparkling surfaces. But when the sun sets, Milly transforms, pursuing her passion: entertaining Kenyans on YouTube with her vibrant Luo songs.

Milly began crafting music in 2019, dedicating several years to honing her art. She seamlessly blends traditional Luo vibes into her songs, pouring her heart into both her music career and her demanding cleaning job.

Her powerful voice is her main instrument and it has steadily garnered an audience online. Her soulful track, Hera Chendo ( “Love is Troublesome”), released only a few months ago, has already attracted more than 8,300 views.

For Milly, music isn’t merely a hobby; it has always been an intrinsic part of her identity, developing alongside all her other interests. She vividly recalls humming and tapping rhythms from childhood, a musical pulse that has remained an unwavering constant throughout her life.

“My life experiences form the core of my songwriting, fuelled by my unwavering passion for singing,” Milly shares.

“For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a musician is not the pursuit of fame, but the profound act of creation itself.”

She finds immense satisfaction in a melody that seamlessly comes together or lyrics that perfectly capture an emotion. The sheer joy of dancing to her own songs ignites her spirit and motivates her daily to continue her musical journey.

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Yet, the Hera Tabu hitmaker admits that balancing her cleaning work with her passion for music is incredibly demanding, requiring meticulous routine management.

“Time management is critical for me,” she explains, “since my office shift begins early in the morning and ends in the evening. I create and practice my music after a long day at work. Although cleaning is physically tiring, I’ve learned to conserve my creative energy, often coming up with melodies or humming lyrics while performing my day-to-day tasks.”

Milly believes her ability to juggle both her job and music schedule helps her cope. Even if she’s exhausted after a late night working on music, the flexibility to choose her hours gives her invaluable time to think freely.

However, her musical journey isn’t without its significant challenges. The Okoth Aliwa singer says she lacks the instruments and funds needed to propel her music career to the next level.

“I have to seek another job to support my studio time and advertising, not to mention how hard it is to find reliable collaborators and overcoming self-doubt,” she says.

Despite these hurdles, Milly’s motivation remains unshakeable. For her, music is far more than a pastime; it’s essential to her well-being, a dream truly coming to life. The simple act of making music, the hope of connecting with people and the belief that her voice is special are what keep her going.

“My biggest supporters aren’t only my family and friends, but also my colleagues at work,” she says with a smile. “They encourage me to make music and sing along to my songs whenever I play them my tracks.”

Milly hopes to one day transition into a full-time musician. She envisions days fully dedicated to rehearsals, songwriting and captivating performances. To aspiring musicians who find themselves balancing artistic pursuits with another job, the Be Iparo Nene singer offers clear, hard-earned advice: “Work hard to achieve your goal.”

As Milly Achieng’ Onyango meticulously cleans office tables and arranges chairs, she knows her extraordinary talent will continue to guide her, one note, one lyric and one polished floor at a time.