Balen Shah is a Nepalese politician, engineer, and rapper, known for his remarkable journey from music and civil engineering into politics. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, he first gained attention as a rapper with lyrics highlighting social issues and the struggles of everyday people. Alongside his music career, Shah earned a degree in civil engineering, giving him strong knowledge of urban planning, infrastructure and the challenges of managing a city. His mix of creativity, technical skills, and connection with young people helped him enter politics as an independent candidate, focusing on practical solutions rather than traditional party politics.
In 2022, Balen Shah made headlines by winning the mayoral election of Kathmandu, promising reforms in city management, waste management, urban development and government transparency. He is known for his straightforward communication style active use of social media to connect with citizens and efforts to bring accountability to public office. His approach combines professional expertise, grassroots understanding, and engagement with younger generations. Through his work, Shah aims to make Kathmandu more livable, efficient and inclusive, addressing long-standing urban problems and inspiring a new generation of socially conscious leaders in Nepal.
Balen Shah Age
Balen Shah, born on October 27, 1990, is currently 32 years old (as of 2023). Despite his relatively young age, he has achieved remarkable recognition in multiple fields, including music, engineering and politics. His youth has been a defining factor in shaping his connection with the younger population of Nepal allowing him to bring fresh ideas and modern approaches to leadership. Balancing his background as a civil engineer with his creative pursuits as a rapper, he has successfully translated his energy, innovative thinking, and grassroots understanding into public service. His age and dynamic personality have made him a symbol of a new generation of leaders in Nepal, who are capable of blending professional expertise with social awareness to drive meaningful change in governance and urban development.
Balen Shah Education
Balen Shah has a strong educational background that supports his work in music, engineering, and politics. He studied civil engineering, which gave him the technical skills to understand urban planning, infrastructure, and city management. This knowledge helps him find practical solutions to problems in governance and urban development.
His education also shows his ability to combine analytical thinking with creativity, allowing him to handle both technical challenges and social issues. By using his engineering training along with real-world experiences, Shah has become a leader who can create innovative solutions for the city of Kathmandu.
Balen Shah Wife
Sabina Kafle is a public health professional and the wife of Balen Shah, the Mayor of Kathmandu. She usually keeps a low public profile but has sometimes spoken to the media, especially to support her husband.
In August 2025, during a media controversy about a photo of Balen Shah with DJ Yasmin Khanal, Sabina made a funny post on Facebook. She asked people to comment with their party names and numbers joking that she would “provide content” showing her lighthearted way of handling the situation and her support for her husband.
Conclusion
Balen Shah’s journey from rapper and civil engineer to Mayor of Kathmandu showcases his unique combination of creativity, technical knowledge and commitment to public service. At only 32 years old, he has emerged as a symbol of youthful leadership in Nepal introducing fresh ideas and practical solutions to persistent urban problems. With the support of his wife, Sabina Kafle, who plays a quiet but important role in his life, Shah continues to work on making Kathmandu more livable, efficient, and inclusive. His story represents a new generation of socially conscious leaders dedicated to innovation, accountability and active community engagement.
FAQs
Who is Balen Shah?
Balen Shah is a Nepalese politician, civil engineer, and rapper. He is best known for being elected as the Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022.
What is Balen Shah’s educational background?
He studied civil engineering, which helps him understand urban planning, infrastructure, and city management.
What was Balen Shah’s career before politics?
Before entering politics, Shah was a rapper and a civil engineer. His rap songs often highlighted social issues and the challenges faced by ordinary people.
