NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan singer Nikita Kering has won the Best Female East Africa award at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), adding another regional honour to her music career.
Kering emerged the winner at the awards ceremony held on September 12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, where AFRIMMA returned after a two-year break.
The official AFRIMMA results list Kering as the winner of Best Female East Africa among the 41 honours presented during the 2026 edition. Her victory came in a competitive regional category that featured several of East Africa’s prominent female artistes.
Kering faced fellow Kenyans Njerae and Bridget Blue, as well as Tanzania’s Zuchu and Abigail Chams, Uganda’s Winnie Mwagi, Rwanda’s Ariel Wayz and Ethiopian artistes Veronica Adane and Salemia.
The three Kenyan women had earned nominations when AFRIMMA announced its 2026 nominees in July. Kering, Njerae and Bridget Blue represented Kenya in the Best Female East Africa category, while Bien was the country’s sole nominee in the corresponding male category.
Kering’s 2026 victory adds another international award to her record after she previously won honours at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
Her 2026 win, however, comes from AFRIMMA — the African Muzik Magazine Awards, a different awards platform from AFRIMA.
The distinction is important because Kering has previously collected multiple AFRIMA honours, including regional recognition, but her latest trophy is specifically the Best Female East Africa award at AFRIMMA 2026.
Kering’s victory was Kenya’s major regional win in the East African categories at the 2026 ceremony.
Bien had represented Kenya in the Best Male East Africa category after securing a nomination alongside Tanzanian heavyweights including Diamond Platnumz, Juma Jux, Mbosso, Barnaba and Marioo, as well as artistes from Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The award ultimately went to Tanzania’s Marioo.
The 2026 ceremony also marked the return of AFRIMMA after a two-year hiatus. Organisers expanded the event beyond the traditional awards ceremony by introducing an AFRIMMA music festival in Dallas. The programme brought together music, entertainment and elements of African culture around the main awards event.
The ceremony was held at Annette Strauss Square, with the organisers positioning the expanded event as a broader celebration of African music and culture.
AFRIMMA’s official results recorded 41 honours at the 2026 edition.
While Kering claimed the East African female award, several of Africa’s biggest stars also took home major honours.
Congolese singer Fally Ipupa won Artist of the Year, while Nigerian superstar Davido took Album of the Year for 5ive.
Tems won Best Female West Africa, while South African star Tyla took Best Female Southern Africa.
The Song of the Year award went to Nigerian artistes BNXN and Sarz for Back Outside.
Tanzania also secured a major regional win through Marioo’s Best Male East Africa award.
