In the 1970s while studying in the US, Sam Ogot bought a guitar so he could explore his other passion — music.

But he never got to use it. Instead, the instrument gathered dust until years later when his daughter, Nina Ogot, an Afro-acoustic musician, “rescued” it.

The youthful Ogot, who sings in a deep distinct voice, now uses the instrument to inspire millions worldwide. Although she’s from Kenya, Ogot’s music encompasses diverse world cultures and cuts across generations.

Indeed, many have described it as a journey to self discovery. Her debut album Ninairobi became an instant hit upon its release in 2008. The second, which will be out this year, marks her transition into Afro-pop.

In 2011, the Kenya Film Commission, which organises the Kalasha Awards — set up to encourage growth of the local industry — awarded Ogot’s song Champion, the “Best Original Score.”

The song takes viewers into the world of a teenage boy struggling to discover himself after losing his father and grandfather, who had been his role models. “I referred to the boy as a champion since he eventually emerges victorious in this difficult journey of self awareness,” says Ogot.

Last year, Ogot released her debut music video featuring her Wololo single. The song criticises the individualistic culture that defines modern society and urges people to return to their traditional values of love, patience, humility and honesty in order to be happy.

In the video, Ogot blends traditional African costumes, ornaments and dance moves in a gallant embodiment of an African woman at peace with her identity.

But it was not always this way with the 29-year-old. While studying media and communication at a university in France, Ogot admits to feeling lost among the diverse cultures and nationalities she encountered.

“In the end, I realised that I didn’t have to change my identity to get recognition. What matters is not the skin colour or race, but your contribution to the human race,” says Ogot.

This experience inspired Ogot’s African Angel — a song that celebrates her roots as well as other world cultures.

Ogot has been nominated to represent Kenya in a US programme dubbed One Beat. The show illustrates ways in which music can be used to engage the community positively and bridge cultural gaps.

She is also a champion for street children. In her hit song Chokoraa, she says nobody loves or cares for them; they sleep hungry and risk being raped or killed. “These children are mirrors of the society; when we ignore their plight and other world injustices, then we begin to lose hope on humanity,” she says.

Another prominent theme in Ogot’s music is freedom, or liberté, as she describes it in French. She says that our greatest obstacles are not the chains others put us in, but those we put on ourselves through the mind.

She says that we should believe in our immense potential, rid ourselves of negative thoughts and the belief that we can only go so far.

Ogot is currently playing the lead role in the Shuga radio drama series. The programme is an MTV and Unicef HIV/Aids awareness campaign that will be broadcast across Africa.

She recently took up a new project in Nairobi’s Kibera slums, in conjunction with an NGO called Peepoole. “We would like to offer solutions to school going girls between the ages of nine and 15 who engage in prostitution in exchange for sanitary pads. We also plan to introduce a mentorship programme,” she says.

Ogot will write and compose music to create awareness about the project.

She has also launched the ‘4X4’ show on her website. Here, fans watch live as she records each song for her upcoming album and can then give feedback via the website. This is an unusually up-close opportunity for them to influence her musical style.

Ogot’s wish is to make the world a better place through her music.