Spotify hosted Karibu Night, a fashion-and-music event held at Heltz House in Nairobi on July 17, 2026, as part of day two of its 12-day Greasy Tunes programme. The event, hosted by Studio 18, featured a fashion showcase built around official Greasy Tunes merchandise and live performances by 10 Kenyan artists, according to a statement from Spotify.

The showcase was anchored on two merchandise items—an official Greasy Tunes jersey and scarf—designed by Studio 18. Spotify said designers within Studio 18 styled and reinterpreted the pieces into multiple looks inspired by the sounds and cultural references associated with Spotify’s Made In Kenya editorial playlist.

The activation forms part of Spotify’s wider push to connect streaming activity with offline cultural programming in Nairobi’s creative economy, where music, fashion, and live events increasingly overlap. For Kenyan businesses in entertainment, events, and consumer branding, such partnerships signal growing commercial opportunities around youth-focused experiences, merchandising, and artist discovery pipelines.

Spotify attributed the concept to performance trends among younger listeners. The company said Afropop listening grew 21% year-on-year among Kenya’s 18–24 listeners, and that 40% of Made In Kenya playlist listeners fall within the 18–24 age group. Spotify also said its June 2026 listening data showed that 18–24 listeners account for 53.7% of all streams in Nairobi, which it described as the highest Gen Z share among Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg.

“Made In Kenya is not just a playlist, it is a reflection of how Kenyan youth are shaping culture in real time,” said Bea Theron, Experiential Marketing lead for Spotify in Africa. “For Greasy Tunes, we wanted to take that energy beyond streaming and create moments where music could meet the other creative worlds it naturally lives alongside, including fashion. Karibu Night showed how strongly music, style and youth culture are connected in Nairobi.”

Studio 18 said it designed the merchandise to extend beyond a single night, as brands increasingly treat limited-run apparel as both marketing and a revenue line in the creative sector. “The jersey and scarf were designed as pieces that could live beyond a single event,” said Brandon Zamani, Studio 18 co-Founder. “For Karibu Night, it was exciting to see different designers within Studio 18 take those pieces and reinterpret them through their own creative language.”

The event’s performance lineup included BURUKLYN BOYZ, Sukuma, Afrikun, Solo, Angelo, Coco Kahi, Dauudi O., Love, Mani, Nig.Wav and Ojizzo, according to the statement. Spotify said BURUKLYN BOYZ featured on the Made In Kenya playlist cover on day two to align with their Karibu Night performance, and that the playlist cover changes daily during Greasy Tunes to spotlight artists connected to each day’s events.

Greasy Tunes runs over 12 days and includes 20 events hosted with 12 communities and partners, spanning food and music as well as podcasts, comedy, sport, fashion and other live programming, Spotify said. For Kenya’s creative and hospitality sectors, the schedule reflects the increasing role of multi-venue programming in driving foot traffic and building creator-led communities that can attract brand partnerships.

Spotify did not disclose financial details for the programme. The company said additional Greasy Tunes events would continue across the remaining days, with the Made In Kenya playlist continuing to rotate its cover to reflect participating artists.

Spotify has opened the Greasy Tunes Café Kitchen in Nairobi in partnership with The BAG, marking the start of a 12-day pop-up that runs from July 15 to July 26 at Heltz House, the company said in a media statement dated July 16, 2026.

According to Spotify, the Nairobi activation is the third edition of Greasy Tunes after Johannesburg in 2023 and Lagos in 2025. The company said the concept is built around curated food and community-led programming that links music discovery with local cultural experiences.

The opening night was co-led by The BAG, which Spotify described as a Nairobi events and nightlife platform. Spotify said the launch was designed around how young Nairobi residents gather “around food, sound, conversation and community,” with street food culture positioned as a central theme.

Spotify said the café kitchen was created in partnership with Jikoni Studio Nairobi, and that the menu was developed “alongside local Kenyan chefs.” The company added that the food offering is intended to reflect Kenyan street food culture within a venue built for music and community programming.

The programme includes collaborations with local creative communities and event brands, including Studio 18, The BAG, BluePrint, Fishermans Experience, Bambika TV, Assembly, Ongeza Volume, Standup Collective, Nakili Session and Strictly Soul. Spotify said the calendar will also feature two live podcast recordings from Mic Cheque Podcast and 30 Percent Podcast.

Spotify said its internal listening data informs the concept’s focus on food-related moments. “Spotify listening data from June 2026 shows that for Nairobi listeners aged 18 to 24, the dinner-adjacent window between 6pm and 9pm is the largest food-related listening period in the dataset, accounting for 20.9% of all daily Gen Z music listening in the city,” the company said.

Agnes Opondo, Artist and Label Partnerships, East Africa at Spotify, said the data points to a blended local-and-global listening pattern among young users. “What stands out in this data is not just that Kenyan artists dominate the dinner playlist, but that they sit naturally alongside names like Dave, Tems and Drake. That tells you something about how young Nairobians experience music. They are not choosing between local and global. They are moving between both in the same evening, and Kenyan artists are holding their own in that mix. For anyone working with East African talent, that is a powerful signal,” Ms Opondo said.

Spotify also disclosed that Kenyan artists appear on seven of the top ten tracks streamed by Nairobi’s 18–24 listeners during the 6pm to 9pm window, led by Ywaya Tajiri, and including Wakadinali, Mutoriah, Toxic Lyrikali, Sauti Sol and Njerae. The company added that regional collaboration also featured in the same listening mix, citing Alikiba and Bien, alongside international acts.

For Kenya’s creative economy, the activation signals continued competition among global platforms for mindshare in local music and youth culture—an audience segment that is increasingly central to marketing budgets across telecommunications, consumer goods, hospitality and live entertainment. Pop-up experiences that blend music, food and community events also reflect a wider trend among brands seeking offline engagement to complement digital consumption, particularly in Nairobi’s nightlife and events sector.

Spotify said it is working with 12 communities and partners to host 20 events over the 12 days, spanning “food and music to podcasts, comedy, sport, fashion and live cultural programming.” The company did not disclose financial terms or expected attendance figures.

The pop-up is scheduled to conclude on July 26, with Spotify indicating that Greasy Tunes is positioned as a multi-city series, following previous editions in South Africa and Nigeria.

Jubilee Health Insurance is expanding an instalment-based premium payment model in Nairobi to increase access to private health insurance among uninsured and underinsured Kenyans, the company said on Friday, 3 July 2026.

The insurer said the scale-up is informed by customer feedback indicating that while many people value health cover, they struggle to pay annual lump-sum premiums. Under the “Linda Afya Leo – Lipa Pole Pole” model, customers can activate cover from the first payment and spread premiums over up to 10 monthly instalments, according to the company.

The campaign targets individuals, families, first-time insurance buyers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with between three and 50 employees. Jubilee said plans start from KES 3,256 per month, offering KES 200,000 inpatient cover and KES 40,000 outpatient cover, while higher-tier options provide up to KES 10 million in inpatient cover.

The rollout comes as Kenya continues to prioritise universal health coverage and financial inclusion, with insurers and regulators increasingly focused on models that reduce the upfront cost of joining insurance schemes—particularly for households that earn irregular incomes or face competing expenses.

Jubilee Health Insurance Chief Executive Officer Njeri Jomo said affordability and enrolment barriers have continued to limit private health insurance penetration, with lump-sum annual premiums cited as a key constraint for many households.

“Many Kenyans remain uninsured not because they do not value health insurance, but because cover is often seen as expensive and complex,” Ms. Jomo said. She added that the company’s intention is to simplify how customers access cover: “This is about much more than changing how customers pay. It’s about changing how customers access health insurance.”

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) said payment approaches that reflect how consumers manage cash flow could support broader uptake. IRA Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Kiptum said solutions geared toward informal sector workers and underserved households are important to improving penetration and confidence in insurance.

“Improving insurance penetration requires solutions that respond to the realities of consumer cash flow, especially among informal sector workers and underserved households,” Mr Kiptum said. “Approaches that support affordability, accessibility and consumer understanding are important in broadening inclusion and strengthening confidence in insurance.”

Jubilee said the Nairobi campaign will be delivered through a community outreach effort dubbed “Afya Mtaani,” with health advisors engaging residents directly before the model is expanded to other regions. For the market, the move underscores a wider shift by insurers toward product structures and distribution channels that reduce friction in onboarding—combining digital enrolment with on-the-ground sales and education to address low awareness and trust barriers.

The company said the initiative forms part of its growth strategy in health insurance and supports its target of covering one million lives by the end of 2027.

Jubilee Health Insurance is a subsidiary of Jubilee Holdings Limited.

Nigerian singer-songwriter Yemi Alade and Kenyan artist Bien have released the music video for their joint single “Don’t Be Shy”, with the visuals shot in Nairobi, Kenya, according to a press release dated July 3, 2026. The release was issued via Effyzzie Music and positions the song as the lead single from Alade’s forthcoming album, “It’s Yemi Alade”, which the statement says is scheduled for release later this year.

The Nairobi location places Kenya at the centre of a cross-border music collaboration that links West and East African markets at a time when streaming platforms and pan-African distribution are increasingly shaping revenue flows for artists, labels and video production teams. While the press release did not disclose production budgets, platform performance targets or commercial terms, it said the video was directed by Ovie and filmed in Nairobi.

In the statement, the organisers described “Don’t Be Shy” as blending Afro-R&B and Kompa, and said the video is set “within a stylish, warmly lit indoor space”. The announcement also framed the release as an early introduction to Alade’s next project, describing “It’s Yemi Alade” as her 11th music project.

Yemi Alade said the collaboration built on her long-standing creative relationship with Bien. “I have always loved the soulfulness of Bien’s music and working with him on this record was so easy,” Yemi Alade said in the press release. “Music has always been about emotion and connection for me. And I feel like in ‘Don’t Be Shy’ we are both being playful, confident and honest, in expressing feelings when you’re into someone.”

Bien, who is also a founding member of Kenyan band Sauti Sol, said the collaboration was driven by a natural creative fit. “Working with Yemi was an incredible experience because the energy felt natural from the beginning,” Bien said, according to the statement. “’Don’t Be Shy’ is about confidence, chemistry and enjoying the moment.”

The press release traces the artists’ previous collaborations to Yemi Alade and Sauti Sol’s track “Africa”, followed by other creative exchanges, including a Swahili version of “Nagode” and Yemi Alade’s contribution to a remix project connected to Bien’s “All My Enemies Are Suffering”. The statement positions the new single as a continuation of that relationship.

For Kenya’s music business, Nairobi being selected as a shoot location is significant for the local creative economy, including film crews, studios, stylists, set builders and location service providers, whose work increasingly feeds into pan-African releases. Cross-regional collaborations also tend to widen an artist’s addressable audience, which can influence touring demand, brand partnerships and catalogue streaming—although no such commercial projections were provided in the release.

The statement also notes the album is expected to arrive “ahead of a major showcase in Paris, France,” suggesting international promotional activity around the broader project. No dates for the album release or the Paris showcase were disclosed.

Next milestones are likely to include additional singles ahead of the album rollout, as well as potential performance and media appearances tied to the Paris event referenced in the statement. Effyzzie Music and Anyiko PR were listed as points of contact for management and media inquiries, respectively.

Jubilee Group and the Grand Nairobi Bike Race (GNBR) on June 20, 2026 launched the sixth edition of the Jubilee Live Free Race, with organisers announcing a new venue at Uhuru Gardens and a redesigned route along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass ahead of the September 27, 2026 event.

According to the organisers, the 2026 race is expected to attract more than 5,500 participants, up from 3,387 last year, reflecting what they described as growing interest from cycling clubs, corporate teams, recreational riders and first-time participants.

The event’s main 72km category will also shift to a two-lap format, reducing the number of loops required to complete the distance. Jubilee Group said it will provide title sponsorship of KES 25 million (KES 25 million), up from KES 20 million (KES 20 million) last year.

The Jubilee Live Free Race has become one of a growing number of mass-participation sporting events in Kenya that blend wellness, corporate participation and community initiatives. For Nairobi, the move to a Southern Bypass route signals a continued push by organisers to use major road infrastructure for closed-course sports events, which typically require coordination with traffic authorities and medical providers.

Caroline Ndungu, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Jubilee Insurance, said the event has expanded beyond competition into a broader cycling platform.

“We have witnessed the evolution of Jubilee Live Free Race into a powerful movement that promotes cycling and community engagement across East Africa,” Ndungu said. She added that the partnership is intended to support “meaningful conversations around investment, healthy living, and overall wellbeing,” according to the press release.

Desmond Momanyi, Grand Nairobi Bike Race Director, linked the event’s growth to changing mobility and lifestyle habits.

“The future of cycling in Kenya is incredibly exciting. What we are seeing today is the foundation of a movement that can transform how people think about sport, wellness and mobility,” Momanyi said. “Cycling is becoming part of how people live, commute and connect, the Jubilee Live Free Race continues to provide a platform that reflects that evolution.”

The organisers said the race will include multiple categories: a 72km main race and team race; a 36km para-cycling and Black Mamba category; a 20km family fun ride; and a 2km kiddies race. They said the structure is designed to allow participation across age groups and ability levels.

On safety and logistics, the organisers said the event will provide on-course support that includes medical response teams, mobile bike repair units, hydration points and full-route marshalling, alongside coordinated traffic management.

The press release also stated that each registered participant will receive outpatient medical cover for race-related injuries as part of the entry package, funded through a KES 50 allocation from the registration fee, with dedicated medical support available throughout the event.

A prize pool of KES 4 million (KES 4 million) will be awarded to winners across competitive categories, organisers said.

Beyond race day, the organisers said the platform supports community initiatives including the provision of prosthetic limbs for children with amputations and “food tower initiatives” in community schools, as well as programmes tied to health and investment solutions.

Registration is open, and organisers expect early uptake as they plan for what they said will be the largest edition to date. Key next steps will include final route logistics, safety planning, and coordination with relevant public agencies ahead of the September event.

Blankets & Wine, a Nairobi-founded live music festival produced by GoodTimes Africa, opened its 2026 season on Sunday, June 7, 2026, with a June edition held at Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, according to a press release dated June 8. Organisers said the event ran across two performance areas—the Main Stage inside the arena and the Onja Onja Stage at The Annex—alongside an outdoor Onja Onja Market for vendors.

The June edition featured Kenyan and African performers, including Labdi, Mordecai Dex, Mejja, Serro, Mutoriah and Watendawili, with Nigerian artist Fave also on the lineup, the organisers said. The Onja Onja Stage hosted electronic and DJ sets featuring DJADE, DJ Paps, Sir M, Kaneda, One Down, DJ IV, Goldmax, Suraj, LA Dave and Hiribae, among others.

The event forms part of Blankets & Wine’s 17th year of operation. The festival was founded in Nairobi in 2008 by Muthoni Ndonga and has staged editions in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the UK, according to the same statement.

Organisers said the Main Stage programme opened with Labdi, followed by performances by Mordecai Dex and Serro. The festival said Fave performed a set during the event, while Mejja and Mutoriah appeared later on the bill. Watendawili closed the night, with the organisers citing surprise guest appearances by Charisma and Xeniah Manasseh during the set.

On the Onja Onja Stage, the organisers said DJADE opened before DJ Paps, with a back-to-back set from Sir M and Kaneda and additional performances by One Down and DJ IV. The statement also cited a performance by South African artist Goldmax, and said the stage ended with a joint set by Suraj, LA Dave and Hiribae.

The June edition also served as the rollout of the festival’s year-long platform dubbed “Your Taste Lives Here,” which the organisers described as a cultural programme focused on Kenyan music, food, fashion and community experiences.

“Every edition of Blankets & Wine begins with a simple question: what does it mean to gather meaningfully in this moment?” said Muthoni Ndonga, Founder and Creative Director. “This June, we introduced some bold changes and our audience once again reminded us that the true power of the festival lies in intentional gathering, shared experiences and the sense of community that continues to define and shape Blankets & Wine.”

The festival said the Onja Onja Market, located outdoors next to the Onja Onja Stage, brought together food vendors, fashion brands and creative entrepreneurs. “We are grateful to everyone who explored The Onja Onja Market, it was exciting to see audiences discovering, supporting and engaging with local brands,” said Michelle Njeri, Brand Manager.

For Kenya’s entertainment and events economy, large-format festivals like Blankets & Wine create business for event production, venue operations, hospitality, transport, and micro and small enterprises that sell food, beverages, fashion and merchandise on-site. The Onja Onja Market segment signals continued interest in festival-linked retail opportunities, where independent brands access concentrated footfall and brand visibility.

GoodTimes Africa said upcoming editions are scheduled for September 6 and December 20, 2026.

Keean and Kael Shah won the Top Kenya title at the inaugural Carrefour Open Padel Tournament on Sunday, beating Amar Shah and Gaston Castro 7-6 in the final at Networks Padel Village in Nairobi, according to a statement shared with media dated June 9, 2026.

The win closed a four-day tournament hosted by Carrefour Kenya, in partnership with Networks Padel Village. Organisers said the competition attracted more than 250 athletes across divisions that included Top Kenya, Advanced, Mixed, High Intermediate, Intermediate and Open categories, competing for a total prize pool of KES 700,000.

In the women’s final, Khaaliqa Nimji and Seyaana Ladha won after defeating Sharon and Faith, the statement said. Third place in the Top Kenya category was shared between the teams of Maxwell Kombo and Devin Shretta, and Helder Simao and Markel.

The organisers said the Top Kenya champions received KES 100,000 in prize money, while runners-up Amar Shah and Gaston Castro took home KES 40,000. The two third-placed teams each received KES 30,000.

The event adds to a growing calendar of commercial sports activations in Nairobi as retailers and venue operators increasingly partner on tournaments that bring together participation fees, sponsorship and brand visibility. Carrefour Kenya is operated by Majid Al Futtaim, which holds exclusive rights to run the Carrefour brand in Kenya, according to the statement.

Speaking after the final, Keean and Kael Shah said the victory came during their first time playing together as a duo in the tournament setting.

“This was our first time playing together as brothers, and we have to give credit to our opponents for putting up a great fight. In the first set, they had us completely confused, but once we figured out our game, we were able to capitalize,” the pair said in a joint quote provided by organisers.

They added that the match demanded tactical adjustment and mental strength against a familiar pairing.

“It was a very competitive match and a fantastic final. Amar’s left-handed play brings a very different challenge, while Gaston makes you work for every point. In the end, it was as much a mental game as it was physical,” they said.

Organisers said the tournament featured nine categories in total: Top Kenya, Men’s Advanced, Ladies Advanced, Mixed Advanced, Men’s High Intermediate, Men’s Intermediate, Ladies Intermediate, Mixed Intermediate and Open Level 2.0. Participants also competed for gift hampers alongside cash prizes, according to the statement.

Beyond competitive play, the statement said the Carrefour Open included community engagement initiatives such as a youth tournament that introduced younger players to padel and provided mentorship through Networks Padel Village coaches.

For Kenya’s sports and leisure market, the tournament underlines increasing private-sector involvement in niche but fast-growing sports, with dedicated facilities and structured competitions supporting a broader ecosystem that includes coaching, events management, retail partnerships and hospitality spend around venues.

Organisers did not announce dates for a second edition, but said the conclusion of the inaugural event marked a milestone in the sport’s development locally, suggesting further tournament activity could follow as participation grows.

ANZA MMA held its second professional mixed martial arts event, ANZA MMA Pro Night 002, on Saturday, 6 June 2026 at Broadwalk Mall in Nairobi, drawing more than 1,000 fans to a sold-out venue, according to the promotion. ANZA MMA said the nine-bout card ended with nine consecutive finishes, an outcome that meant every fight ended before the final bell.

The event featured fighters from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting a growing circuit of regional competition in combat sports. ANZA MMA also said the audience included athlete teams, community gyms, media and several public figures, which it framed as a signal of MMA’s increasing mainstream profile in Kenya.

According to the results released by ANZA MMA, Uganda’s Justin Okot defeated Kenya’s Celeste Leslie Masiga in the opening bout, followed by another Ugandan win as Lawrence Mukiibi beat South Sudan’s Abednego Thon via submission. Zambia’s Batista Mende then defeated Angtenda of DR Congo, continuing a run of stoppages.

In all-Kenyan action, Alhassan Mosala defeated Julius Osodo via a second-round TKO. Kenya’s Brian Munyi beat Uganda’s Henry Kirangwa via TKO, while Kevin Odongo defeated DR Congo’s Romain Kasase via a third-round TKO. Tanzania’s Rashid Mlegelo beat Zambia’s Jai Chilufya via rear-naked choke submission. Kenya’s George Itumo defeated DR Congo’s Kentos Boton via TKO, and Kenyan featherweight Ouhsummer Ali Abad beat South Sudan’s Peter Busak via armbar submission in the main event.

ANZA MMA also announced performance awards from the card. “KO of the Night” went to Brian Munyi, “Submission of the Night” to Rashid Mlegelo, and “Fight of the Night” to Kevin Odongo versus Romain Kasase, according to the press release.

The promotion said the event attracted local artists and creators including Bien, Ssaru, Breeder LW, Shappaman, Kagwe Mungai, Kenchez, Dr Reign and filmmaker Eugene Mbugua. ANZA MMA said Bien entered the cage after Odongo’s win to congratulate the fighter.

The latest card comes as Kenya’s combat sports ecosystem continues to broaden beyond boxing and traditional martial arts into professionally promoted MMA events, which rely on ticketing, venue partnerships and the growth of local gyms and athlete pipelines. ANZA MMA said it is licensed under the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation and described its Pro Night events as professionally sanctioned.

For Kenyan businesses, the emergence of recurring fight nights can create additional opportunities in event production, security, merchandising, sponsorship activation, sports media and hospitality. The regional make-up of the Pro Night 002 card may also support sports tourism into Nairobi if the calendar becomes more regular and if athlete teams and fans travel for future events.

Looking ahead, ANZA MMA said its 2026 season has included two amateur fight nights before the recently concluded professional event. The promotion did not disclose dates or venues for its next professional card in the statement, but positioned the amateur and professional series as part of a development pathway for regional fighters.

Red Bull has crowned dancer Zack The Great as the 2026 Red Bull Dance Your Style Kenya national champion after the competition’s national finals held on May 24, 2026 at the Tsavo Ballroom, Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, the company said in a press release dated May 25.

According to the statement, the national finals brought together 16 Kenyan street dancers in head-to-head battles, with Zack The Great winning the title after a final against first runner-up King of Smiles. The winner will represent Kenya at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals in Zurich, Switzerland on October 24, 2026, where Kenya will be among 51 participating countries, Red Bull said.

The event adds to Nairobi’s growing pipeline of large-format youth and creative economy events hosted at major venues such as KICC, as brands continue to invest in live experiences tied to music, sport and cultural participation. For Kenya’s creative industry—spanning dancers, choreographers, event production crews and content creators—such competitions can create income opportunities through performances, workshops, sponsorships and digital distribution.

Zack The Great, quoted in the press release, said the title carried personal and community significance. “Being crowned the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2026 champion is something truly special. I am grateful for the support, the love from the community and the opportunity to represent something bigger than myself,” he said. He added: “Kenya is full of energy, culture and incredibly talented dancers, so being recognized among such amazing talent means a lot to me.”

He also pointed to the challenge of competing abroad. “I think the biggest challenge will be adapting to a completely new environment and atmosphere. It will be my first time competing on such a major international stage,” Zack said, adding that adjusting to the crowd and overall experience in Zurich would take time.

Red Bull said the Kenyan champion will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Switzerland (value not disclosed). The company did not provide cost details or local economic impact estimates for the Nairobi event.

In addition to the competition battles, Red Bull said the Nairobi finals featured appearances by international dancers, including MT Pop (named as the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion), Luwam (identified as a finalist at the 2024 world finals), Luciano (identified as the 2025 Netherlands champion and global finalist), and Verb (identified as a two-time South Africa champion in 2022 and 2023, and a 2023 global finalist). The press release added that the visiting dancers conducted workshops for members of Kenya’s dance community while in Nairobi.

The 2026 edition was the sixth Kenyan edition of the global competition and launched in March, with qualifying rounds held in Mombasa and Nairobi before the KICC finale, according to Red Bull. The format is audience-judged: spectators vote for winners after each battle using red and blue LED wristbands, the company said. Red Bull also said all urban dance styles are accepted except break dancing, which is not included in the competition’s rules.

Looking ahead, attention will shift to preparations for the Zurich world finals in October, where Zack The Great will compete against national champions from other markets. Red Bull has not announced any further Kenya dates beyond the completed 2026 season, but the company’s statement positions the event as an ongoing annual platform within its local calendar.

ANZA MMA will hold its second professional mixed martial arts event, ANZA MMA Pro Nights 002, on Saturday, June 6 at Broadwalk Mall on Ojijo Road in Nairobi, with bouts set to start from 5pm, according to a media statement dated May 19, 2026.

The promotion said the event will feature fighters from across East Africa, listing Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan among the participating countries. The fight night follows ANZA MMA’s inaugural professional event held in December 2025.

The main event is set to pit Kenyan featherweight Ouhsummer Ali Abad, nicknamed “Ninja Turtle,” against South Sudan’s Peter Bushak. ANZA MMA said Ali Abad delivered a “first-round technical finish” during the December 2025 event and will face Bushak in a featherweight bout.

On the main card, Kenya’s George Itumo, known as “The Maverick,” is scheduled to face DR Congo’s Ken Boton in a bantamweight contest. ANZA MMA said Itumo won his December bout in the first round, while Boton comes off a win over Uganda’s Josiah Lumunya at Impact Championship.

Kenyan heavyweight Kevin Odongo is also listed to return, against Congolese heavyweight Romain Kasase. The statement also referenced rapper Octopizzo entering the cage with Odongo after his December fight.

The main card is completed by a featherweight bout between Tanzania’s Rashid Mlegelo of Dar MMA and a Zambian fighter identified as Chilufya.

On the preliminary card, ANZA MMA listed a middleweight bout between Alhassan Mosala of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy and William Odino, both from Kenya. Other preliminaries named in the statement include Zambia’s Mende against DR Congo’s Angtenda; Kenya’s Brian Munyi of Chanuka Self Defense against Uganda’s Farouk Ogwal; South Sudan’s Thon against Uganda’s Mukiibi; and Kenya’s Leslie Masiga against Uganda’s Justin Okot.

While the event is primarily a sports property, recurring fight nights have become part of Nairobi’s wider entertainment economy, generating demand for venue space, ticketing, security services, brand partnerships and adjacent hospitality spending, particularly for malls and mixed-use developments that host large crowds during weekend hours. Broadwalk Mall, located along Ojijo Road, is among the city’s established retail and leisure venues.

ANZA MMA also used the statement to position the event as a continuation of its December 2025 debut, saying “the first ANZA MMA pro event… completely [sold] out the venue,” and that “demand far exceeded capacity, with many spectators… turned away at the doors due to the packed arena.” The organisation did not disclose ticket prices, attendance figures, or revenue from the previous event.

The promoter also cited the entertainment crossover around the inaugural event, stating that attendees included public figures such as Nviiri the Storyteller, Boutross, Chiki Kuruka and Savara, as well as Kenyan MMA fighter Felista Mugo.

Tickets for the June 6 event are being sold via HustleSasa, according to the statement. ANZA MMA said further event materials, including posters and images from the first event, are available for download through links provided to media.

Next, attention will turn to whether the second event matches the December 2025 turnout and whether ANZA MMA can maintain a regular calendar of professional fight nights in Nairobi, a key factor in building sustainable athlete pathways and attracting regional participation.