Veteran Kenyan rapper Abbas Kubaff has reignited public interest after claiming he received Sh 10 million for performing at former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 2013 inauguration ceremony at Kasarani Stadium.
The rapper, whose real name is Andrew Kabiru, made the revelation during a recent interview with Oga Obinna, where he reflected on his music journey, biggest career moments, and life outside Kenya.
According to Abbas, the performance remains one of the most rewarding gigs of his long career and the largest platform he has ever stepped onto.
Abbas said he received the multi-million payout for performing only two songs during the historic state ceremony.
The inauguration, held in 2013 after Uhuru Kenyatta’s election victory, was one of the country’s biggest national events at the time.
Reports previously indicated that the full ceremony cost around Sh 352 million, with security and logistics taking a large share of the budget.
Beyond the money, Abbas described the inauguration as the biggest platform he has ever performed on.
Kasarani Stadium was packed with thousands of attendees, while millions more watched the ceremony on television and radio across the country. For any entertainer, performing at such a nationally significant moment carries both prestige and visibility.
For Abbas, who rose to fame during Kenya’s golden era of urban music, the opportunity cemented his place among the country’s top performers.
The interview comes at a time when Abbas is enjoying a visible return to the spotlight.
On April 26, 2026, the rap veteran officially launched his new album titled A.I. (Abbas Intelligence) during an event at Home Hit Labbz in Nairobi.
The launch attracted several respected names in Kenyan hip-hop, including Khaligraph Jones, Collo, and members of P-Unit, showing the respect Abbas still commands across generations. Singer Ruby V also featured during the event.
During the Obinna interview, Abbas also opened up about his personal life. He revealed that he has lived in Malta for several years after marrying his British wife, Anna Zelinka, in 2015.
The rapper also shared his current philosophy about making music. Rather than focusing on diss tracks or controversy, Abbas said he now wants to create songs that inform, entertain, and educate listeners.
Having survived changing trends, industry politics, and the rise of streaming culture, Abbas appears focused on legacy rather than short-term noise.
