NAIROBI –
Ugandan music legend Bebe Cool arrived in Nairobi for a six-day media tour that’s already causing a stir in Kenya’s entertainment circles.
The artist, known for hits like Love You Every Day and Easy, touched down on Monday evening and is expected to make appearances on top radio and TV shows, perform at select venues, and meet with some of Kenya’s biggest stars.
“I’m here to celebrate East African music and show love to my Kenyan fans,” Bebe Cool told reporters shortly after landing. “This region has talent -we need to build bridges, not borders.”
The singer’s visit is more than a publicity stop. Sources close to his team say he’s eyeing joint projects with Kenyan musicians including Khaligraph Jones, Nadia Mukami, and Sauti Sol’s Bien. While none of these collaborations have been officially confirmed, industry insiders say studio sessions are already underway.
Fans caught a glimpse of the artist at NRG Radio on Tuesday morning, where he hinted at a new single that may feature a Kenyan artist. “Kenya has always felt like home,” he told NRG hosts during the live interview. “I think it’s time we gave fans something special.”
This tour marks Bebe Cool’s first extended visit to Nairobi since 2022. At the time, he was promoting his album Toobiire and appeared at Coke Studio Africa. His return comes at a moment when East African music is enjoying renewed attention on digital platforms, with both Kenyan and Ugandan acts attracting international streams.
Music analyst Sheila Nduku says Bebe Cool’s presence in Nairobi could help reignite regional cooperation. “What we’re seeing is a cultural reset,” she said. “Artists are realising that unity brings reach. And fans across borders want the same thing – good music with heart.”
But not everyone is convinced. A few Kenyan artists have quietly questioned the timing and motive behind the visit, suggesting it could be a calculated PR move ahead of a new album release or political comeback in Uganda. Bebe Cool, who has been linked to political campaigns in the past, has so far avoided such topics during his Kenyan tour.
For fans, however, it’s the music that matters.
“He’s a legend. Whether it’s a concert or just one collab with Khaligraph, I’m in,” said 22-year-old Angela Mumo, who was waiting outside Kiss FM studios hoping to get a selfie with the star.
The tour is scheduled to run until Sunday, 7 July, with appearances expected on Citizen TV, Radio Africa Group, and possibly a surprise pop-up at a Nairobi nightclub this weekend.
If the energy from his first two days is anything to go by, Bebe Cool’s Nairobi stop may be one of this year’s most talked-about cross-border cultural moments.
