Jennifer Kanari, a dynamic figure in the voice over industry, has a story that is as multifaceted as it is inspiring. A voice over actor, coach, mother, grandmother, and advocate for African voice actors, she has carved a unique path in the industry.
In this exclusive interview conducted by Nnenna, we delve into her journey—from her roots in Kenya to her international impact—and uncover her motivations, challenges, and advice for budding voice over artists. Get ready to explore how Jennifer has transformed her passions into a legacy, balancing artistry with advocacy.
Can you give us a brief introduction about yourself? Who is Jennifer Kanari?
Jennifer Kanari is someone who wears many hats, and one of the major hats I wear is that of a voice over actor and voice over coach. But before that, I am a mom and a grandma.
Awesome. I’m sure you are a very fun grandma.
Well, I hope my grandchildren think so. I certainly enjoy them. I have seven grandchildren, so I spend a lot of time with them. I also have the blessing of spending time with my parents. One of the things I’m very keen on is history, legacy, and the transfer of culture, which I strive to live out. I think voice over provides a way to preserve that.
While we’re on the topic of my grandchildren—one of the girls (there are more boys than girls) recently got into voice over. She’s doing amazing! She’s only 10, but she’s learning how to edit, do invoicing, and even complains about her taxes—it’s wonderful.
Can you just tell us where you’re from and how that affects your work?
I was born and raised in Kenya, East Africa. Being a grandmother, I’ve lived through the era of colonial teachers, which explains my accent. I was raised by British and Irish teachers and patterned my speech after them. But I’ve also witnessed their departure and Kenya’s journey toward becoming more indigenous and naturalized. This shift has significantly influenced my work.
As a voice coach and veteran in the industry, I’ve had to navigate the growing demand for the natural African accent, which is now so sought after. Interestingly, I’ve struggled to rediscover it myself.
There was a time when people highly admired the British or quasi-British accent I had. While it helped in some areas, it became a hindrance in my voice over work, which is ironic. This struggle has motivated me to encourage others to embrace and take pride in their natural Kenyan—or “African”—accent instead of overly admiring what I have.
This experience has shaped how I teach, coach, and even approach my own work. I’ve had to learn, or rather re-imagine, how to sound Kenyan—or African—in a way that resonates with today’s voice over industry.
What was your motivation to become a voice artist? A lot of people are inspired by voice artists, some are motivated by their parents, some love the idea of sounding African, while others simply enjoy hearing the sound of their own voice.
My story is a little different. I had never thought about my voice or how I sounded until I stumbled into voice over work.
At the time, I was homeschooling my children. I’m also a singer and used to sing in church. I wear many hats, but my primary focus is ministry. Voice over work is my “tent-making”—a way to earn money so I can freely serve the Most High.
I came across voice over by chance. While homeschooling my children, someone mentioned that my daughter looked exactly like what they wanted for a baby product label. I took her to the studio for the photo session. My daughter was six months old at the time.
Coincidentally, the same studio was one where I used to sing. Out of curiosity, I stopped by and asked, “What’s going on?” I overheard a recording that sounded like a Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) ad. When I asked, they explained that it was a voice over for the bank.
That moment was eye-opening for me. Like many people, I had never realized that advertisements were essentially performances. The voice artist was pretending to be a KCB expert or a member of the bank, and that was what I had always assumed was real on the radio.
It was a wake-up call to an entirely new industry, and I found it absolutely fascinating. That’s how I started my journey in voice over.
Can you share the inspiration behind Voice Actors League of Kenya (VALK)?
It was dynamic—it grew symbiotically from my own experiences as a casting agent. I noticed the challenges my talents were facing, whether it was about the amount they were being paid, the timeframe for payments, or how they were treated during work.
Talking with other casting agents, we realized these issues were widespread. Instead of just complaining, we decided to take action. That’s how the idea of a rate card was born. We created a standardized rate card for voice over, TV, and print work.
We quickly realized the root issue was within us as voice actors: we were uninformed, unorganized, and unaware of our roles and rights. Often, we were too thrilled to get a job to demand fairness at the job. We needed to stop being desperate and start valuing ourselves.
I started focusing more on voice over work, my children, and the people who wanted me to represent them. One day, a group of voice over actors and I sat under a tree and asked ourselves, “How do we fix this?” That’s when we came up with the name Voice Actors League of Kenya (VALK).
Today, it’s known as the Voice Actors League of Africa. Since our inception, so many voice actors from other countries have joined us, making us more than just Kenya-based.
How do you define success as a voice over artist?
I’ve learned to break it down into small successes at every stage of growth. Yes, increased income is one marker of success, but there’s also the confidence marker—becoming more capable and more established. Having a recognized place in the industry is a significant achievement in itself. Each step forward is a success that builds toward a bigger picture.
Another important perspective is whether we are being true to the reason we have a voice. Are we staying faithful to the morality that defines us? If not, can that really be called success?
For example, consider an African country where the GDP is rising, but so is the rate of corruption. Can that truly be considered progress if one comes at the expense of the other? Similarly, as voice over artists, we might make money from projects that contribute to the deterioration of societal values, such as negatively influencing families or communities. Can we justify calling ourselves successful just because it pays the bills?
True success lies in being part of the movement toward meaningful, positive change while staying aligned with our values.
So, can you tell us about your biggest artistic influences—those who inspire or have inspired you in this industry?
Yes, I am definitely inspired by international voice-over artists like Morgan Freeman and Viola Davis—individuals who do incredible work.
But locally, I am very inspired by Nigerians. I have to say, part of what motivates me is seeing people like Kaycee and his mindset towards voice over work. I look at Chukwuemeka, at what you all offer, what you stand for, and how boldly you’ve created VOAfrica. You’re rubbing shoulders with people in Hollywood and building bridges—it’s such a bold move to say, “Here we are.”
Sean Shobo amazes me all the time, as does Remi. So yes, I’m inspired by Nigeria, and these are my inspirations.
How has your style changed over time?
Yes, it has changed—and maybe I need to go back a bit. When I started my career, there was an innocence I brought to the table, and I think that’s part of why I became successful quickly. I brought something new, fresh, and unique to me at that time.
Over time, I found myself “doing voice over,” if you understand what I mean. But the industry keeps evolving. For example, there was a period when the announcer voice was highly sought after, and I had to adapt to that trend. I naturally have a fairly high voice, but I had to train myself to sound deeper and more mature to land announcer jobs.
With shifts in trends, such as the rise of millennials as the target audience, clients’ preferences changed. The sound they were looking for evolved—it wasn’t about the baby boomer audience anymore. Matching the way millennials hear and respond required me to adjust my style again.
It’s exciting because it means I constantly have to learn and grow. It takes time to break through the walls and become the voice that wins auditions now. But who knows? The announcer voice may very well make a comeback someday. That’s the journey of growth in this industry.
What’s your inspiration for people who are starting out in the industry?
You have to put in the work, but don’t lose the fun in it. The industry is becoming more demanding and competitive, but the structures to support you are now in place. My encouragement is to make use of those structures.
I’m very aware of the amazing work happening across the continent—what you’re doing in West Africa, what VALA is doing here, and what Nadeem is building in Egypt. Community is more important now than ever, much more than when I started.
So, my advice is this: go for it. Whatever brought you into the world of voice over, whether curiosity or passion, plug into a community. Let it be a key part of your journey. A strong community will not only help you grow and refine your skills, but it will also unite us as African voice over professionals.
There’s power in numbers and unity. Communities are incredibly supportive, and they play a vital role in the growth of the African voice-over industry. We’re collectively working toward something big, and we’d love for you to join us.
By joining a community, you’ll gain support, skill development, and a network that strengthens the industry as a whole. Africa is on the rise in the voice over world, and efforts like this interview and the connections being forged across East, West, South, Central, and North Africa are proof of that.
Bring your unique creativity, and know that you’re part of something bigger. Together, we’re building a stronger future for voice over in Africa.
Jennifer Kanari’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to community. From her early days of discovery to becoming a celebrated voice in the African voice over industry, Jennifer continues to inspire through her work and her advocacy.
Her advice? Embrace community and authenticity. Join the movement and be part of the rising wave of African voices making their mark globally. Follow Jennifer and VALA, empowering voice over artists across Africa.
Take inspiration from Jennifer’s story and carve your own path in the voice-over industry. Together, we can achieve more!Share your thoughts in the comments below.
A big thank you to Jennifer for sharing her story with us. Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations!