Kartel's Kenya connection
The possibility of a Nairobi concert comes after years of strong support for Kartel's music in Kenya.
The artiste has repeatedly spoken about his connection with Kenyan fans. In August, he even told a large crowd at Reggae Land 2026 in the United Kingdom that although he was born in Jamaica, he considered himself Kenyan.
“I was born in Jamaica, but I’m actually Kenyan.”
The comment drew a strong response from the crowd and quickly circulated among his Kenyan supporters.
Kartel's music has maintained a strong presence in Kenya, with tracks such as “Fever”, “Clarks” and other dancehall hits remaining familiar to local audiences.
A previous concert claim caused confusion
The latest development is also significant because it follows a false concert announcement earlier this year.
In March, posters circulated online claiming that Kartel would perform in Kenya as part of an East African tour. The artiste later denied the reports and warned fans against sending money to people promoting the alleged shows.
“No East African shows have been announced or confirmed by my team.”
Kartel advised fans to rely only on his verified platforms and authorised representatives for information about future performances.
The new comments are different because they come directly from Kartel himself and indicate that discussions with Kenyan promoters are actually taking place.
Fans await an official announcement
Despite the excitement, no confirmed Nairobi date, venue or promoter has been announced so far.
A concert would mark Kartel's first official live performance in Kenya if the talks result in a confirmed show.
The possibility comes at a significant point in the artiste's career. After his release from prison and return to international performances, Kartel has been rebuilding his presence on the global live music circuit.
He recently headlined Reggae Land 2026 in the UK, where reports said about 50,000 people gathered for his performance.
For Kenyan fans, the prospect of finally seeing the dancehall veteran on home soil has already created considerable anticipation.
For now, however, the wait continues until Kartel's team confirms the details of what could become his first Kenyan concert.
