Nairobi — Thousands of Kenyans turned Nairobi into a celebration of country life this past weekend during International Cowboy and Cowgirl Day, a festival that brought country music, boots, and wide-brimmed hats to the heart of the capital. The crowd, dressed in denim, leather belts, and cowboy boots, danced and sang along to country anthems at the event, which took place in an open field on the outskirts of the city. The celebration was led by popular local acts and community members who have helped shape Kenya’s homegrown country music scene.
The headliner, “Sir Elvis” Otieno, received a roaring reception as he performed crowd favorites like Take Me Home, Country Roads and Down to the Honkytonk. Born in 1977, just months after Elvis Presley’s death, Sir Elvis grew up listening to American country legends including Jim Reeves and Alan Jackson. His deep baritone voice and stage presence have earned him the title of Kenya’s “country king.”
“When I started out, country was a tiny genre here,” Sir Elvis Otieno said during the event. “It’s a dream come true to see a crowd like this today.” He drew parallels between American country music and local sounds, particularly Mugithi a Kikuyu storytelling genre. “The language and themes overlap,” he explained. “Love, life, forgiveness they both tell stories from the heart.”
The event was organized by Reja Manyeki, founder of Cowboys and Cowgirls, a Nairobi-based events and fashion company. What started as a niche clothing brand in 2018 has now grown into a full-fledged country lifestyle movement. “We organize cowboy-themed birthdays, weddings, end-of-year parties. Even schools are getting involved,” Manyeki said. “Country music is no longer fringe here. It speaks to everyone.”
The lineup featured artists like Samson Maombe, who has built a following with Swahili-language gospel-country songs. His performance opened the festival and attracted fans from both Christian and farming communities groups that Manyeki said connect deeply with country music’s messages.
For many festival-goers, country music is more than just a genre. It’s a way of life. Anne Anene, 26, discovered country music through Dolly Parton’s Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? and hasn’t looked back since.
“Her songs speak to my life. They help me process love, pain, and everything in between,” Anene said. “I’ve always dreamed of visiting Texas or Nashville, just to experience the ranch life firsthand.” Anene said country music offers an escape. “In this world full of confusion and drama, it’s the only thing that makes sense to me. It gives me peace.”
Festival MC “King George” Gustavo echoed that sentiment. He said he listens to Alan Jackson “every single day” and sees the genre as a reflection of real life.
The event blended global sound with local culture, showing how music can cross borders and create new identities. As the sun set over Nairobi, the crowd kept dancing cowboy hats in the air and guitars strumming under the African sky.
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