The Madaraka Day long weekend is set for a major entertainment spectacle as the “One Night Only” concert series returns to Nairobi with an expanded international lineup.
Scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Sarit Expo Centre, this year’s edition will bring together four celebrated music stars under the theme “1 Queen, 3 Kings.”
For the first time, legendary American saxophonist Kirk Whalum, R&B icon Karyn White, Kenyan superstar Bien and Tanzanian hitmaker Ali Kiba will perform on the same stage in what organisers are describing as the biggest edition of the concert yet.
The event follows the success of the 2025 “One Night Only” show that featured jazz legend Kenny G and attracted a sold-out audience at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
A Historic Bien and Ali Kiba Reunion
Much of the excitement surrounding this year’s concert centres on the live reunion between Bien and Ali Kiba following the massive success of their collaborative hit song “Finale.”
Released on March 25, 2026, the football-themed track quickly became one of East Africa’s most successful music releases, breaking regional streaming and YouTube records.
The song reportedly surpassed 20 million YouTube views within its first month and crossed the 10 million mark in just 11 days, making it the fastest Kenyan-led collaboration to hit the milestone.
Fans across Kenya and Tanzania have spent weeks praising the chemistry between the two artists, and the concert is expected to deliver the first-ever live performance of the anthem.
Organisers hinted that the audience could witness a special surprise performance of “Finale” during the night, a moment many fans are already calling the highlight of the event.
East Africa’s Biggest Musical Pairing
Ali Kiba, widely referred to as the “King of Bongo Flava,” has built a reputation for his smooth vocals, timeless songwriting, and energetic live performances backed by full bands rather than prerecorded tracks.
Meanwhile, Bien-Aimé Baraza has continued to cement his place as one of East Africa’s most influential musical voices following his success with Sauti Sol and his thriving solo career.
Bien is celebrated for blending Swahili, English, and Sheng into modern African sounds while incorporating traditional Kenyan rhythms such as Isikuti.
Premium Concert Experience
Organisers say the 2026 edition is designed as a premium lifestyle and entertainment experience targeting a mature audience.
Unlike many mainstream concerts, the event will enforce a strict “Black Tie, Elegant, Grown and Sexy” dress code.
The concert schedule has also been tailored for a sophisticated evening setup:
- Gates Open: 3:00 PM
- Main Show Starts: 6:00 PM
- Curtain Close: 10:00 PM
- Entry: Strictly 18+
Ticket Prices and Booking
Fans have been urged to secure tickets early as organisers confirmed there will be no gate ticket sales once allocations are exhausted.
Ticket pricing categories include:
- Early Bird — KES 5,000
- Gallery — KES 7,500
- Middle — KES 9,500
- Front Row — KES 12,500
Tickets are available through Ticketyetu.