The summer concert season in the United States is underway, and Kenyan musicians are taking centre stage as they reconnect diaspora audiences with the sounds of home.
Leading the charge is the Jose Gatutura Band, whose Mugithi US Tour kicked off in March and will run through August 2026. The celebrated musician and his ensemble are set to perform across numerous American cities, bringing the high-energy rhythms, storytelling traditions and cultural richness of Mugithi music to Kenyan communities abroad.
Joining Gatutura on selected dates are acclaimed vocalist Kareh B and instrumentalist Marto Martz, adding depth and variety to a tour designed to showcase one of Kenya’s most enduring musical traditions.
Mugithi is a distinctive Kenyan genre that originated among the Kikuyu community in Central Kenya. The music has its roots in rural storytelling and guitar-based performance, merging folklore and musicology. Mugithi means “train”. This symbolises the continuous rhythm and flow of music. It is also exemplified in the nature of the dance style. The genre has been influenced by American country music styles that have shaped its melodic and narrative approach.
This music style is known for its expressive guitar work, call-and-response vocals, and vibrant cultural narratives. Quoted on X, Gatutura said: “The Mugithi US tour is going very well. We began in Spokane Washington, Portland, Los Angeles, Dallas and we perform in Atlanta this weekend.
We conclude the tour with a show in Seattle Washington on August 8. I have crisscrossed over 20 states since the start of the tour. Before the US, I have performed in Switzerland, UK and German.
My ambition is to make the Mugithi brand a staple genre of contemporary African music. This tour is a celebration of our heritage and our people. We’re excited to connect with the diaspora and introduce Mugithi to brand-new audiences across the US.”
Another key figure in promoting Kenyan music abroad is Simon Javan Okelo, a musician, entrepreneur and founder of the annual Madaraka Festival. Based in Seattle, Washington, Okelo has spent more than a decade creating a platform that connects East African artists with audiences across the US. He is a band leader and entrepreneur who runs the annual Madaraka Festival in numerous cities in the US where he invites Kenyan artists to perform in Seattle.
“From 2014 to 2019, it was just a Seattle-based event. But in 2019, it happened in Kisumu, Kenya, and it brought over 4,500 people together. During the pandemic, it reached millions of people...We raised over $10,000 for women who are doing business in the informal settlements in Kisumu.”
“Our goal has always been to bring respect to African culture and music while creating an ecosystem that allows East African artistes to access some of the best venues in the US...We have been fortunate to have the support of corporate sponsors including Amazon, Kenya, Airways, KEXP, Microsoft and Alaska Airlines.”
Meanwhile, award-winning singer Bien-Aimé Baraza continues to strengthen his international profile through regular performances across the US, frequently drawing sold-out crowds.
As summer unfolds, Kenyan musicians from across genres are using music not only to entertain but also to strengthen cultural ties, build community and expand Kenya's artistic footprint abroad. For diaspora audiences, the season promises more than concerts. It offers a vibrant reminder of home.
Fresh from his appearance at the recently concluded Africa Forward Summit, where he headlined a major concert, Bien remains one of Kenya's most visible musical exports. Diaspora fans are already anticipating further appearances as excitement builds around the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Bien has previously been quoted by US media as saying he relied on Nigerian promoter Osita 'Duke' Ugeh because, unlike Kenyan promoters, Osita offers great brand value. Duke runs Duke Concept, an event production and promotion company based in New York specialising in live concerts, festivals, and tours. He has organised Davido's 'The 5ive Alive Tour' and Kizz Daniel's 'Uncle K Tour.'
The writer is a professor at the City University of New York.
