Kenya has secured four nominations at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), with Bien, Nikita Kering, Njerae and Bridgit Blue earning recognition among East Africa’s top musical talents.
The nominations, announced ahead of the annual awards ceremony scheduled for September 12 in Dallas, Texas, place the four artists in two of the competition’s regional categories.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Bien is Kenya’s sole nominee in the Best Male East Africa category, while Nikita Kering, Njerae and Bridgit Blue will represent the country in the Best Female East Africa category.
In the Best Male East Africa category, the singer will compete against some of the region’s biggest names, including Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, Juma Jux, Marioo, Barnaba and Mbosso, Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Joshua Baraka, Ethiopia’s Lij Michael, and South Sudan’s Single Dee.
Kenya also boasts a strong presence in the Best Female East Africa category, with three artists earning nominations.
Nikita Kering, known for her soulful vocals and contemporary R&B sound, returns to continental award recognition after consistently releasing critically acclaimed music and growing her fan base across Africa.
Joining her is Njerae, whose blend of Afro-pop and alternative music has earned widespread acclaim among younger audiences.
Bridgit Blue completes Kenya’s representation in the category following a string of impressive performances and releases that have established her as one of the country’s rising stars.
The three Kenyan nominees will compete against Tanzania’s Abigail Chams and Zuchu, Uganda’s Winnie Mwagi, Ethiopia’s Veronica Adane and Salemia, and Rwanda’s Ariel Wayz.
Fans can now cast their votes for the nominees through the official AFRIMMA voting platform ahead of the awards ceremony.
Public voting remains a significant part of the awards process, allowing supporters from across Africa and the diaspora to back their favourite artists before winners are announced in September.
In addition to the awards ceremony, this year’s event will feature the annual AFRIMMA Music Fest, bringing together artists, producers, DJs and fans for performances and networking opportunities celebrating African music and culture.
