Wendy Kay delivers a sharp and stylish Swahili track about money on her album KARAHA. The vocalist personifies wealth, asking what kind of friend or enemy it would be. Israel Onyach Pala and Fredrick Wanjira Wang’ombe compose a rhythmic beat, while Wendy Agwata co-writes the thoughtful lyrics.
Released: March 27, 2026
Pesa
Wendy Kay • From “KARAHA”
Lyricist
Israel Onyach Pala, Wendy Agwata
Composer
Israel Onyach Pala, Fredrick Wanjira Wang’Ombe
Pesa Lyrics Translation (from “KARAHA”)
Wendy Kay opens with a direct question, imagining money as a fickle character that brings peace or deep pain. She describes its allure and instability, noting how ‘its face is as beautiful as a flower’ (sura yake kama maua). The musician mixes clever metaphors with playful confidence, dreaming of lifting her community higher once she masters this elusive force.
Kama pesa ingekua mtu angekua namna ganiIf money were a person, what kind of character would they have?
Mtu wa watu ama angekua moto wa kuotea mbaliA friend to all, or a danger you only admire from afar?
Siku zingine pesa angekua rafikiOn some days, money would be a loyal friend.
Siku zingine ni mteja hapatikaniOn other days, it’s a disconnected caller you cannot reach.
Nikiwa na yeye mambo freshi mambo shwariWhen it’s with me, everything is perfectly fine and peaceful.
Akipotea naumia kindaniWhen it disappears, I ache deep inside.
Uuuh sura yake kama mauaOoh, its face is as beautiful as a flower.
Uuuh sabuni ya rohoOoh, it completely soothes the soul.
Uuuh sura yake kama mauaOoh, its face is as beautiful as a flower.
Uuuh sabuni ya rohoOoh, it completely soothes the soul.
Aki pesa weeh umezoea pesa weehOh money, you always act this way, money.
Aki pesa weeh umenizoea pesa weehOh money, you take me for granted, money.
Aki pesa weeh nitakushika pesa weehOh money, one day I’ll get a hold of you, money.
Mali safi wanifanya weh mr money moneyPure wealth makes me feel like Mr. Money Money.
What’s the hurry have some fun we ain’t hurt nobodyWhat’s the hurry? Let’s have some fun, we aren’t hurting anyone.
I just wanna lift the form watu wangu twende mbaliI just want to elevate the standard, so my people and I can go far.
Uuuh sura yake kama mauaOoh, its face is as beautiful as a flower.
Uuuh sabuni ya rohoOoh, it completely soothes the soul.
Uuuh sura yake kama mauaOoh, its face is as beautiful as a flower.
Uuuh sabuni ya rohoOoh, it completely soothes the soul.
Aki pesa weeh umezoea pesa weehOh money, you always act this way, money.
Aki pesa weeh umenizoea pesa weehOh money, you take me for granted, money.
Aki pesa weeh nitakushika pesa weehOh money, one day I’ll get a hold of you, money.
Uuuh tuturu turu tuturu turu tuturu turuOoh, tuturu turu tuturu turu tuturu turu.
Turu tuturu turu tuturu turu tuturu turuTuru tuturu turu tuturu turu tuturu turu.
The meaning of ‘Pesa’ is a witty and relatable look at our complex relationship with money. The lyrics offer both admiration and frustration for the wealth that defines modern life.
