ObongiFrank: Adding short description: "Kenyan musician and business woman" (Shortdesc helper)
Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, dancer, socialite and entrepreneur. She was born in Kisumu and belongs to the Luo tribe of Nilotes. She is the founder and CEO of Akothee Safaris, a tour company based in Kenya, and Akothee Homes, a real estate business. She is also a musician and has won several AFRIMA awards. She is regarded as one of the wealthiest singers in East Africa and the wealthiest female singer in Kenya.<ref></ref>
==Background and Education==
Akothee was born Esther Akoth on April 08, 1980 in Kisumu County as the first daughter of her parents. Her mother was a local politician and her father was a county administrator. She grew up in Migori, where she attended school. Akothee attended Nyabisawa Girls secondary school but dropped out one year later in form two (sophomore) before completing her high school program when she eloped with her boyfriend who was also in high school at the time and entered early marriage. After running away from home, her boyfriend went back to school and she was forced to start with her mother in law, for whom she worked as a house help for seven years.<ref name="Akothee bio"></ref>
It was while at her mother-in-law's home in Migori that she conceived and bore her first child. She was fourteen years old at the time. She gave birth to her second and third children at ages fifteen and sixteen respectively. However her second child, a daughter, died in infancy following an illness because she could not raise the money needed for her treatment. In 2000, she gave birth to her fourth child, at seventeen years of age. The same year, Akothee and her mother-in-law disagreed, and she left her in-law's home to fend for herself.<ref name="Akothee bio"></ref>
As result of their disagreement, Akothee moved to Kanga, where she worked as a fish hawker to raise money for upkeep. Meanwhile, her husband continued with his studies, and by this time, he was in the university. In 2003, he completed his university education and the two moved in together, at which point the two decided that Akothee would go back to school while her husband took care of the kids.<ref name="Akothee bio"></ref>
She went back to high school and, in 2004, at 21 years of age, completed her high school education at Wasio Mixed Secondary, finishing with a mean grade of C+.<ref></ref> According to her result-slip, which she posted on social media, Akothee scored A in History and Government, D- in Mathematics.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> During this time, her husband had landed a job in Nairobi and moved there.
==Personal life==
Akothee entered her first marriage at 14 years. She had her first three children at the age of 15, 16 and 17 years respectively, while living with her mother-in-law and her husband was in school. Akothee returned to high school and in 2004, after finishing school, Akothee moved to Nairobi to be with her husband. They lived in poverty and got donations of cooking sticks, cooking pots and mattresses from neighbours. Soon, their lives started getting better as they became increasingly wealthier because of her husband's job. However, on 6 October, 2006, Akothee's husband left her with their three children and married another woman.<ref name="Akothee bio"></ref>
As a result of her divorce, she moved to Mombasa to be with her brother. She worked as a taxi driver during this time. While working as a taxi driver, Akothee carried a passenger from Zurich, Switzerland, who would become her boyfriend and take him with her to his home country. During her stay in Switzerland, Akothee conceived her fifth child with him. After nine months abroad, she broke up with him and moved back to Kenya with a desire to pursue music as a career.<ref name="Akothee bio"></ref>
She owns houses in Migori, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nairobi and Switzerland. Her networth is estimated to be 6.1 billion (roughly equivalent to 61 million dollars), with her house in Switzerland, popularly known as Nelly Oaks, being valued at 50 million dollars. She also owns a fleet of luxury cars, including a German AMG SL 63 convertible Roadstar, Prado, Frerrari, Toyota V8, and a Range Rover Vogue.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> She is known to spend time shopping in France, Italy, Dubai and Switzerland and throw high-end private parties for her children and friends.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref><ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
As of 2019, Akothee has 5 children: 3 daughters and 2 sons and remains a single mother. She conceived her three daughters, Vesha Shalian Okello, Celine Dion Okello and Prudence Apundo, from her first marriage and her two sons, Oyoo and Ojwang, from two different relationships after her divorce.
==Music Career==
Akothee has released several successful songs. They include
Oyoyo featuring McGalaxy,<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Give It To Me,<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> featuring Flavour, Sweet Love featuring Diamond,<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Benefactor,<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Yuko Moyoni,<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> New Dance featuring Oc,<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Osilliation, Nimechoka, Pashe, Katika, Djele Djele, Shengerera, Mama Bougerie, and Tucheze.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Her career in music started in 2008 and she has since released many solo titles as well as collaborations with popular artists, including Diamond Platinumz. She has also scooped several awards at home and abroad. They include African Muzik Magazine Awards, AFRIMMA – Best Female Artist(East Africa) 2016. African Muzik Magazine Awards, AFRIMMA – Best video. African Entertainment Awards USA – Best Female Artist.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==Popularity==
Akothee is one of the most popular music artists in Kenya. With more than one million followers, her Instagram account is the tenth most followed of East African celebrities, behind Lupita Nyong'o, Diamond Platinums, Ali Kiba, Rayvanny, Harmonize, Eric Omondi, Huddah Monroe, Sauti Sol, Vera Sidika and Betty Kyalo.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Because of her popularity and stances, she is frequently mentioned both in tabloid media and mainstream media. Mentions of her range from criticism of her dress-code and lifestyle, to praises for her music and charity work.<ref></ref><ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref><ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==References==
from Wikipedia - New pages [en] http://bit.ly/2GhJxlT
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