By the 254.ke Newsroom
Kenyan singer Nikita Kering has won Best Female East Africa at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), pushing her career trophy count to five at the continent’s biggest music awards ceremony. The result was announced at the AFRIMMA gala in Dallas, Texas, and confirmed by Kering herself on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
She beat out seven other finalists in the category, including two fellow Kenyans, to take the honour for the second time in her career.
Who did Nikita Kering beat for Best Female East Africa?
The category drew entrants from across the region. Alongside Kering, the East Africa shortlist included Kenya’s Njerae and Bridgit Blue, Tanzania’s Abigail Chams and Zuchu, Ethiopia’s Veronica Adane and Salemia, Rwanda’s Ariel Wayz, and Uganda’s Winnie Mwagi. On the men’s side, Tanzanian singer Marioo took Best Male East Africa the same night.
AFRIMMA, now in its ninth edition, handed out awards across 41 categories on September 12, 2026, with Congolese star Fally Ipupa named Artist of the Year and Nigerian acts led by Davido dominating the West Africa and continental categories. Nigerian artists took the bulk of the night’s trophies — Davido won Album of the Year for “5ive,” Tems claimed Best Female West Africa, and Phyno and gospel singer Mercy Chinwo also picked up wins — reflecting how much weight West Africa’s Afrobeats scene now carries at the ceremony.
Kenya’s presence at the 2026 edition wasn’t limited to Kering’s win. Njerae and Bridgit Blue both made the East Africa shortlist without winning, keeping three Kenyan acts in contention for a single category — a stronger showing than the country has typically had in recent editions.
How many AFRIMMA awards has Nikita Kering won?
Kering’s history with the awards stretches back to when she was still a teenager. Here’s the full run:
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Best Female Artiste, Eastern Africa |
| 2019 | Revelation of the African Continent |
| 2021 | Best Female Artiste, East Africa |
| 2021 | Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B and Soul |
| 2026 | Best Female East Africa |
Her 2019 breakthrough came on the back of “Tragedy,” a song addressing violence in romantic relationships that introduced her sound to audiences well beyond Kenya. She has since released the project “A Side of Me” and built out a catalogue of R&B, soul and Afro-pop tracks, including “Ex,” while taking part in Coke Studio Africa, BBC 1Xtra sessions and Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme.
Why does this win matter for Kenyan music?
AFRIMMA is one of the largest pan-African music honours, drawing artists and industry figures from across the continent and the diaspora each year. A repeat Kenyan win in the East Africa category — following her 2021 victory — keeps Kenya’s music scene visible at a ceremony where West African acts, particularly from Nigeria, have increasingly dominated the wider continental categories.
It also arrives in a busy month for Kenya’s entertainment calendar. Congolese star Fally Ipupa performed to a large Nairobi crowd at Uhuru Gardens earlier in September, and comedian Njugush sold out a solo show at Sarit Expo the same week — signs of steady momentum in the local live-entertainment scene as 2026 heads into its final quarter.
Kering has said in past interviews that the recognition matters to her beyond the trophy itself. “The award is never about the trophy itself; the trophy for me is a symbol of the whole process,” she said after her first AFRIMMA wins in 2019, describing the access it gave her to other African artists and industry professionals.
Frequently asked questions
What is AFRIMMA?
AFRIMMA (African Muzik Magazine Awards) is an annual pan-African music awards ceremony founded in the United States that recognises artists from across Africa and the diaspora. The 2026 edition was held in Dallas, Texas, on September 12 and covered 41 categories.
What award did Nikita Kering win in 2026?
She won Best Female East Africa, beating finalists from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda.
How many AFRIMMA awards has Nikita Kering won in total?
Five. She won two in 2019 (Best Female Artiste Eastern Africa and Revelation of the African Continent), two in 2021 (Best Female Artiste East Africa and Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B and Soul), and the 2026 Best Female East Africa award.
Who else won at AFRIMMA 2026?
Davido took Album of the Year for “5ive,” Fally Ipupa was named Artist of the Year, Tems won Best Female West Africa, and Tanzania’s Marioo won Best Male East Africa, among winners across 41 categories.
When and where was AFRIMMA 2026 held?
The ceremony took place on September 12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, the awards’ long-running home city.
Where can I see the full list of AFRIMMA 2026 winners?
The complete results are published on AFRIMMA’s official website.
Related reading on 254.ke: Fally Ipupa Confirms September Return to Nairobi, Thamani Awards 2025, and Njugush Sells Out TTNT6 at Sarit Expo.
