President William Ruto has conferred the Head of State Commendation (HSC) on celebrated Kenyan artist Ian Oure, popularly known as Iyanii, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the country’s creative industry.
He was conferred on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the State House, Nairobi.
“Iyanii music is a testament of perseverance and creative evolution. Rising from school choirs to national fame, he honed his craft at Sauti Academy before breaking into the limelight with Bamba Pia in 2018,” State House said on his conferment.
“His runaway hit Donjo Maber has propelled him into East Africa’s top charts, surpassing 18 million views and being named the 2025 song of the year through collaboration with leading artists and growing global persistence. Iyani has become a symbol of modern Kenyan music and a beacon for young creatives. He is awarded the Head of State Commendation.”
This award comes a few months after he revealed the surprising story behind his latest track, Donjo Maber, a collaboration with fellow musician Dufla Diligon.
Speaking on Friday, July 18, 2025, during an interview with a local TV station, Iyaani revealed that the inspiration for the song came from a phrase Dufla frequently used in conversation, and it quickly evolved into a full-fledged studio hit.
The Pombe hitmaker shared that the phrase “Donjo Maber” was a favourite of Dufla’s during their everyday interactions.
“What happened is this,” Iyaani explained, “Dufla alikuwa anaitumia sana. Every time mngepatana na yeye and things go your way, anakuambia hiyo imedonjo maber, imeweza sana.”
Donjo Maber hit idea
Struck by the catchiness and cultural relevance of the phrase, Iyaani said the idea began to grow in his mind.
After a trip home and some reflection, he called up his producer, Waka Waka, to discuss building a track around the concept.
“It was a term alikuwa anaitumia sana, so mimi nikakuwa like sometime back after nimeenda home, nikafikiria hii term inakaa vizuri sana na inaweza kuwa created into something. Nikapigia producer wangu Waka Waka nikamsho kuna idea flani nimesikia Dufla akiongelelea, na tukiilink up tunaeza produce something,” he explained.
The producer got to work, laying down a beat while Iyaani added his lines.
But something still felt incomplete. That missing piece, according to Iyaani, was Dufla himself.
“Tukapatana na producer, akafinya beat nikaweka lines nilikuwa nazo, and I was like, Hii kitu inasound poa, but kuna kitu inamiss, na ilikuwa Dufla. Akakuja akaweka verse, and the rest is history,” Iyaani said.
