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.

Spotify has published a recap of its “Feature Mixer” event held in Nairobi, where the audio streaming company showcased a set of in-app features to creators, cultural tastemakers and media personalities as part of an education-focused product engagement.

According to the statement distributed on behalf of Spotify by communications firm Irvine Partners, the Nairobi session used a “speed-dating” format in which guests rotated through six short demonstrations designed to explain what each feature does, why it matters and how to use it in the app.

The company said the event included demos of tools such as Jam, Personalization features and an “Offline Bundle” that it described as designed to address local data and network challenges. The evening also included live performances by Kenyan acts Vijana Barubaru and Zaituni, Spotify said.

The recap comes as global streaming platforms continue to compete for listener attention in Kenya’s fast-growing digital entertainment market, where mobile data costs and network reliability can shape product adoption and usage patterns. Feature sets that reduce data consumption and allow offline listening have become a key consideration for users and a potential lever for subscriber growth.

In the Nairobi session, “the evening’s core mechanic saw guests moved through six ‘feature dates’ in quick rotations,” Spotify said in the release. Each station was led by a “Feature Avatar” who ran a three-minute segment featuring a live demo and a teach-back moment, where guests explained the feature in their own words “to ensure a deep understanding of the product,” the company added.

Spotify outlined several features highlighted during the event, including Jam, which it said focused on shared queue control for group listening, and a DJ Bundle, which the company said explored how listeners can shape music journeys “in real time.” It also cited a Personalisation Bundle featuring daylist and Daily Mixes, Mixed Playlists that enable track transitions, and Collaborative Playlists aimed at shared curation.

Spotify said the “Offline Bundle addressed challenges like low-data usage and fluctuating network coverage,” positioning it as relevant to day-to-day connectivity constraints in the market.

The company also described a “match reveal” component, in which attendees received “personalised Top Feature Matches delivered via printed guide cards.” Spotify said the one-page guides were intended as take-home explainers to help participants replicate the steps and share “how-to” content with their audiences.

While Spotify did not disclose attendance figures, partnership announcements or investment details tied to the event, the Nairobi activation underscores how global consumer tech companies are increasingly using local creator ecosystems to drive product understanding and adoption. For Kenya’s digital media economy, such sessions can translate into more feature-led content creation, potentially influencing user discovery, playlisting behaviour and time spent on platforms.

Spotify said the event concluded with a DJ set blending Amapiano, Afrobeats and Gengetone, followed by “a surprise live performance from Vijana Barubaru and Zaituni.”

In the release, Spotify also shared global user figures, stating it has “713 million users, including 281 million Spotify Premium subscribers, in over 180 markets.” In a separate “Spotify in numbers” line, it cited “751 million monthly active users / 290 million subscription users” and availability in “over 184 markets,” without explaining the difference between the two sets of figures.

Spotify has not announced whether the Feature Mixer format will be repeated in other Kenyan cities or expanded across East Africa, but the company’s focus on offline and personalisation tools suggests continued emphasis on product localisation for markets where connectivity and affordability remain central to streaming usage.

ANZA MMA held its Amateur Fight Night 008 on April 26, 2026 at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi, drawing amateur mixed martial arts fighters from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Italy in a nine-fight card, according to a statement issued by the organiser on April 27, 2026.

The event featured athletes representing gyms and teams including Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Mombasa Sharks, GAMMA Rwanda, Kigali BJJ, Guardian Uganda, Hardcore Gym, Tristar Gym Nairobi, Shadow Strikers and the Kenya Wrestling Team, ANZA MMA said.

ANZA MMA also said the audience included representatives from Kenya’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports—named as Joel Atuti, Deputy Director of Sports, and Mr. Muriithi—as well as PFL Africa’s Daniel Kijo, Director of Marketing and Operations. The statement added that Kenyan fighter Felista Mugo attended the event, describing her as having recently won in Pretoria under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner.

In results highlighted by the organiser, Kenya’s Samuel Laurian of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy won the featherweight main event by submission against Rwanda’s Jonathan Ntakirutimana of GAMMA Rwanda. In the welterweight co-main event, Italy’s Lorenzo Cardanelli, representing Kigali BJJ, defeated Kenya’s Amos Eboso by submission in what ANZA MMA described as a rematch; the statement said the two previously fought at ANZA MMA’s first event in June 2025, where Cardanelli also won by submission.

ANZA MMA said eight of the nine fights ended by submission, technical knockout (TKO) or knockout (KO), with only one contest going to the judges. Among the quickest finishes cited was Shadrack Otieno’s 30-second rear-naked choke submission win over Aman Niyigena in a lightweight bout.

Other results on the main card included Uganda’s Shaffik Assuma defeating Kenya’s Jared Otieno by disqualification in a flyweight bout, according to the organiser.

On the preliminary card, ANZA MMA listed Martin Mwanza defeating Djibril Binego by TKO, Steve Munyi defeating Kamya Pison by TKO, and Matthew Lwano defeating Maina Morgan by judges’ decision. The organiser also listed Eric Ngari defeating KO Gordon Juma, and Kennedy Adaki defeating Eugine Oyugi by submission.

Why it matters

While MMA remains a niche sport compared with football and athletics in Kenya, regular fight nights and structured amateur-to-professional pathways can support a growing combat-sports economy—spanning gyms, coaching, event production, venue partnerships and sponsorship—particularly in Nairobi’s entertainment circuit. The Alchemist has increasingly hosted sports and lifestyle events, underlining the link between nightlife venues and ticketed sports programming.

The attendance of officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, as cited by ANZA MMA, also points to continued interest in how emerging sports fit within Kenya’s broader creative and sports economy agenda, including athlete development and event-hosting opportunities.

Next steps

ANZA MMA announced its next professional event is scheduled for June 6, 2026 at The Broadwalk Mall in Nairobi. The promotion said the card will include Kenyan fighters Ouhsummer Ali Abad, Kevin Odongo, Georgi Itumo and Alhassan Mosala, and that it expects regional participation from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan.

Air France will increase capacity on its Nairobi–Paris route by 12% from May 15, 2026, as part of its 2026 summer schedule, the airline said in a press release dated April 9, 2026 in Nairobi. The carrier will deploy a larger Boeing 777-200 aircraft on the route, replacing what it described as its regular Airbus A350 operation, in a move it said is aimed at strengthening connectivity between East Africa and Europe.

According to Air France, the adjustment comes as the airline expands its global summer network to “close to 170 destinations across 73 countries,” with long-haul capacity rising by 2% compared with 2025. The airline said the additional capacity is being allocated to selected cities including Nairobi, alongside Asian destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore and Bangkok, as carriers recalibrate schedules to reflect changing travel demand and disruptions affecting some Middle East routings.

The airline positioned the Nairobi–Paris service as a key long-haul link for the region, connecting Kenya to its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle. Air France said the “approximately nine-hour flight” provides onward connections to “more than 300 destinations” via the Air France-KLM and SkyTeam networks, including routes serving North America where business and diaspora travel demand is concentrated.

“Air France’s is enhancing its capacity on the Nairobi–Paris route by introducing the Boeing 777-200 as from May 15, resulting in a 12% increase in available seats compared to its regular Boeing A350,” the airline said in the statement. It added that the changes are expected to support demand across “business, diplomatic and tourism segments.”

The announcement adds to a competitive landscape at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where Kenya’s role as a regional aviation and business hub has drawn sustained interest from international airlines. Nairobi’s concentration of diplomatic missions and multinational regional headquarters supports premium travel volumes, while the country’s tourism sector depends heavily on reliable air links to Europe and connecting traffic to North America and Asia.

In the release, Air France linked its wider network adjustments to broader changes in global aviation patterns. It cited “continued instability in parts of the Middle East” as a factor forcing airlines to reconfigure routes and redeploy aircraft, with some capacity redirected toward Asia and Africa where demand “remains resilient.” For Kenya, such shifts can influence seat availability, pricing, and the stability of connections for exporters, corporate travel programmes, and inbound tourism supply chains.

The airline also outlined product and service initiatives it said are being rolled out across its fleet as competition intensifies on long-haul routes. Air France said it is expanding the rollout of its La Première first-class suites, including on African routes, and introducing free ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet, with full deployment “targeted by the end of the year.”

From a market perspective, incremental capacity increases on the Nairobi–Europe corridor can improve scheduling options for corporates, development organisations, and conference travel while supporting onward connectivity for Kenyan firms with operations in Europe and North America. Additional seats may also help tourism operators manage peak-season demand, although the impact on fares will depend on broader supply dynamics, load factors and competitor capacity.

Air France said flight schedules for the 2026 summer season are now available through its booking channels.

Base to Billboardz (B2B) has named Muringi Matheri, Manasseh Shalom, Zawadi Mukami, Chris Barr, Peter Njuguna and Ras Amor as the six finalists for its inaugural six-month artist development programme, the organisers said on March 30 in Nairobi.

According to the press release, the programme—launched in February—is backed by Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) through its Tusker brand, with musician Bien serving as the principal mentor. The six were selected from a shortlist of 30 following a voting process involving members of the public and industry experts during a live showcase held at the Tusker Brew House.

The organisers said the initiative is structured as an artist development platform rather than a competition, and does not include a “winner-takes-all” cash prize. Instead, the programme targets Kenyan artists who already show market traction. B2B said its eligibility benchmarks include having released an album or EP, live performance experience, at least one million career streams, and a social media audience of more than 10,000.

Christine Kariuki, Head of Mainstream Beer at KBL, said the company expects to track how the initiative supports the artists’ professional growth. “Since the launch, we have been eager to witness the six artists in action, and we look forward to tracking the impact of this initiative on their growth and development,” Kariuki said. “We want to support them every step of the way as they elevate their careers.”

Bien said the programme is designed to combine mentorship with operational structure. “I am quite optimistic about the level of talent and originality we are seeing from the artists in this programme,” Bien said. “I am excited about what lies ahead because with the right mentorship, structure, and commitment to the craft, they have the potential to grow into artists who can compete and thrive on bigger stages, both locally and globally.”

The press release identified each finalist with a track associated with their recent visibility: Muringi for Managī, Manasseh for Dark Brown Eyes, Zawadi for Jua Tua, Chris Barr for Hamu, Peter Njuguna for Delulu, and Ras Amor for Hawa Wasichana.

Over the next six months, B2B said the finalists will attend weekly workshops covering vocals, songwriting and dance/movement, alongside monthly masterclasses on the business of music, including branding, publishing, distribution, contracts, monetisation and international expansion.

For Kenya’s creative economy, the programme reflects a growing role for corporate-backed platforms in professionalising talent pipelines amid expanding consumption of local music. In the statement, B2B pointed to ongoing industry constraints that make it difficult for semi-established acts to convert audience momentum into sustainable careers, citing limited mentorship, fragmented industry structures and insufficient commercial backing.

The organisers said the programme will culminate with the six artists forming a collective and releasing a joint album, followed by a launch event. The timing and commercial arrangements for the album release were not disclosed in the statement.

Tusker has previously supported music programming including Tusker Project Fame, Nexters and Oktoberfest, according to the release, with Base to Billboardz positioned as a longer-cycle development initiative. The next milestone for B2B will be the start of the weekly workshops and masterclasses leading up to the joint album release and debut event.

ANZA MMA staged its Fight Night 007 on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at The Alchemist in Nairobi, bringing together largely Kenyan amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and featuring 10 athletes making their amateur debuts, according to a statement issued on 27 March 2026.

The organisers said the main event ended with Hassan Wasswa Muhammed of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy defeating Maina Morgan of Shadow Strikers by technical knockout (TKO) in a bantamweight bout. The co-main event, also at featherweight, saw Hamza Fahim of Mombasa Sharks submit Dickson Aomo of Diani Fight Club via rear naked choke.

The event is ANZA MMA’s second show of its 2026 season and its seventh numbered fight night. The promotion said it used the card to spotlight domestic athletes from multiple regions, including Kisii, Kakamega, Mombasa, and Diani, as well as several gyms in Nairobi.

Fight Night 007 followed ANZA MMA 006, which the organisers said had drawn fighters from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In contrast, the latest event was built around Kenyan participants, a programming choice that the organisers said reflected the growth of the local amateur MMA pipeline.

On the main card, the organisers also reported a featherweight win for Samuel Laurian of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy, who defeated Brayan Ray via verbal tap. In another bantamweight contest, Bobby Kamande of Chanuka Self-Defense earned a decision win over Lwando Matthew.

In the preliminary bouts highlighted by the organisers, Wayne Achoki beat Hashim Sefu by decision; Evans Kaburia won by third-round referee stoppage against Felix Tole; and Chris Mutea defeated Guraib Rukwaro by decision. Ray Tsuma recorded a TKO win over Josiah Aoncha, while Shadrack Otieno beat Alex Njathi by decision. In a welterweight bout, Amos Eboso won via TKO against Brazilian opponent Augusto Kohn.

The organisers said: “ANZA MMA returned for the second time this year with its seventh event on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at The Alchemist, Nairobi.” They added that “10 fighters made their amateur debut on the card.”

While the event sits in the sports and entertainment category, it also intersects with Kenya’s broader live events economy, which includes venue operators, ticketing platforms, brand sponsors, gyms, and sports content distribution. Regularly scheduled fight nights can help stabilise revenue streams for training facilities and event partners and create more structured pathways for athlete development, particularly in combat sports that have historically relied on sporadic competitions.

ANZA MMA also positioned the series as a feeder for higher-level competition, saying it aims to “develop the next generation of fighters” and “prepare them for regional and international competition.” The statement added that in 2025, “KO Fight Night by ANZA MMA” delivered what it described as Kenya’s “first-ever professionally sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts event,” bringing together professional fighters from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Going forward, the key milestones for the promotion will be scheduling additional 2026 season events and maintaining a consistent calendar that supports athlete progression from amateur to professional bouts, alongside expanding regional participation where appropriate.

Base to Billboardz (B2B) has named Muringi Matheri, Manasseh Shalom, Zawadi Mukami, Chris Barr, Peter Njuguna and Ras Amor as the six finalists for its inaugural six-month artist development programme, the organisers said on March 27 in Nairobi.

According to the press release, the programme was launched in February and is backed by Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) through its Tusker brand, in partnership with musician Bien, who will serve as the principal mentor. The finalists were selected from a shortlist of 30 artists through voting by members of the public and industry experts during a live showcase event held at the Tusker Brew House, the organisers said.

The announcement places a spotlight on the growing role of corporate-backed programmes in Kenya’s creative economy, where music is increasingly viewed as both a cultural product and a commercial sector linked to streaming revenues, live events, brand partnerships and intellectual property earnings. For Kenya’s beverage and consumer brands, such platforms can also serve as marketing channels, while for artists they can offer structured access to skills, networks and industry knowledge that are often fragmented.

Christine Kariuki, Head of Mainstream Beer at KBL, said the company plans to follow the artists’ progress through the programme. “Since the launch, we have been eager to witness the six artists in action, and we look forward to tracking the impact of this initiative on their growth and development,” Kariuki said. “We want to support them every step of the way as they elevate their careers.”

The press release identified each finalist with a song associated with their recent visibility: Muringi Matheri for Managī, Manasseh Shalom for Dark Brown Eyes, Zawadi Mukami for Jua Tua, Chris Barr for Hamu, Peter Njuguna for Delulu, and Ras Amor for Hawa Wasichana.

B2B said it is structured as a career accelerator rather than a music competition, and does not offer a cash prize. The organisers said eligibility focused on semi-established artists who had already released bodies of work such as an album or EP, had live performance experience, had at least one million career streams, and an online audience of more than 10,000.

Over the next six months, the finalists will participate in weekly workshops covering vocals, songwriting and movement, as well as monthly masterclasses focused on the business of music, including branding, publishing, distribution, contracts, monetisation and international expansion, according to the press release. The programme will involve Bien and five additional coaches.

Bien said the cohort reflects the breadth of Kenya’s music output and argued that structured support can help artists sustain careers. “I am quite optimistic about the level of talent and originality we are seeing from the artists in this programme,” Bien said. “Each of them brings a unique sound and perspective that reflects the richness of Kenya’s music scene.”

For Kenya’s music industry, programmes that prioritise publishing, contracts and distribution can influence how emerging acts approach rights ownership and revenue streams in an era dominated by digital platforms. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly pointed to gaps in mentorship and commercial backing as barriers that prevent artists from converting short-term attention into sustainable income—an issue B2B says it intends to address.

The organisers said the programme will culminate in the six artists forming a new collective and releasing a joint album, which will be presented at a launch event. Key milestones to watch will include the rollout timeline for the workshops and masterclasses, details of the additional coaches, and the release schedule and distribution plan for the joint album.