The Madaraka Day long weekend is set for a historic musical milestone as the One Night Only concert series returns to Nairobi. On Sunday, 31 May 2026, the Sarit Expo Centre will host a cross-continental lineup under the theme "1 Queen, 3 Kings".
For the first time, four global icons—Kirk Whalum, Karyn White, Bien, and Ali Kiba—will share a single stage. This event marks a significant evolution from the 2025 edition, which featured jazz legend Kenny G.
A Record-Breaking Collaboration
The timing of the performance follows the unprecedented success of "Finale," the hit collaboration between Kenya’s Bien and Tanzania’s Ali Kiba. Released on 25 March 2026, the track became the fastest song in East African history to surpass 20 million YouTube views within its first month.
It reached the 10-million-view mark in just 11 days, setting a record for a Kenyan-led song.
Fans have spent weeks watching the football-themed video dominate regional charts. Now, the "One Night Only" stage offers the first opportunity to see the duo perform the anthem live together.
The word on the street is that we are gearing up for a special 'finale' collaboration live performance. That moment alone is worth the ticket price."
East Africa’s Powerhouse Duo
The pairing brings together two of the region's most distinct musical identities. Ali Kiba, known as the "King of Bongo Flava," is celebrated for his vocal control and timeless songwriting that avoids heavy autotune.
He is widely regarded as the premier live performer in East Africa, opting for full bands over backing tracks.
Bien-Aimé Baraza, formerly of Sauti Sol, is often described as the architect of the contemporary East African sound. He is recognised for his "pen game," blending Swahili, English, and Sheng with traditional Kenyan rhythms like Isikuti.
A Proven Concept
The 2026 event seeks to build on the success of the previous year. The 2025 Kenny G concert at the KICC was a complete sell-out with over 2,000 attendees. Post-event data showed a 93.75% excellence rating from the crowd, with 81% of attendees indicating they would return for future editions.
Organisers are positioning the night as a high-end, sophisticated production. Unlike typical concerts, this event follows a strict "Black Tie, Elegant, Grown and Sexy" dress code.
The schedule is designed for a refined audience:
- Gates Open: 3:00 PM
- Main Show: 6:00 PM
- Curtain Close: 10:00 PM
- Age Limit: Strictly 18+
Ticket Information
Organisers have issued a firm warning: there will be no gate tickets. Once the pre-allocated tickets are gone, no further entries will be permitted.
Pricing Tiers:
- Early Bird: KES 5,000
- Gallery: KES 7,500
- Middle: KES 9,500
- Front Row: KES 12,500
Fans can secure their spots via the official link: https://ticketyetu.com/r/0gz.
