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American R&B singer Kelis, known for her early 2000s hit Milkshake, has revealed the motivations behind her move to Kenya and her bold decision to buy 300 acres of land in Naivasha. In a recent interview on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Kelis detailed her transition from music icon to farmer, entrepreneur, and resort developer in the heart of East Africa.
Located next to Lake Naivasha and overlooking Mount Longonot, her expansive property sits within proximity to the Lake Naivasha National Park, known for its thriving wildlife. Despite the controversy around acquiring land near a game reserve, Kelis emphasized her intention to build a community that coexists harmoniously with nature. “We’re building a little community out here,” she said. “My plan is to do an all- sustainable luxury retreat like a resort... keeping it as part of the ecosystem as possible.”
Already, she has begun farming onions and frequently witnesses wildlife like giraffes, zebras, impalas, and even elephants roaming the land. “Sometimes you’ll get blessed with an elephant walking through,” she said, describing the surreal experience of sharing space with wild animals.
Her move to Kenya was inspired by a trip initially meant for her sister. As they planned to tour Zanzibar and Kenya, Kelis felt drawn to East Africa. “Kenya is everything,” she said. “It has the best of all worlds... rural plains and bustling cities like Nairobi.”
While she appreciates the wildlife, Kelis acknowledged the practical need to erect fencing to protect her crops and investments. She plans to include a watering hole and plant more trees to support local biodiversity. “There’s a way to farm and not completely ruin the ecosystem,” she noted.
