Kenya’s rising gospel-country musician Samson Maombi delivered a spirited performance at the Tromsø Country Music Festival in Norway despite the challenges of getting there.
Maombi, known for his rich baritone voice and cowboy-inspired attire was invited to perform at the Norwegian country festival after the song “Nitauimba Wimbo” went viral. The song was co-written with his wife.
The song’s popularity surged in Norway after it was featured by a popular Norwegian TikTokker Elvejord Borg. Borg later travelled to Kenya in search of Maombi after mistakenly identifying the wrong person as the voice behind the track.
Speaking to a Norwegian magazine, Mr Borg said his followers helped him track down Maombi.
Festival director Franz Robertsen, having followed the TikTokker’s journey to Kenya, invited Samson to perform at the event, according to a Norwegian magazine.
Maombi was scheduled to travel to Norway in early July, but just days before his departure, his visa application was denied. A last-minute appeal, support from the Norwegian embassy, and a frantic passport process allowed the visa to be approved with barely any time to spare.
Maombi arrived in Tromsø just 30 minutes before his scheduled performance. With no time for rehearsal or soundcheck, he went straight from the airport to the stage.
Backed by a local band, Maombi performed “Nitauimba Wimbo Mpya” alongside three other tracks. Despite the language barrier, his emotional delivery, passion, and Swahili rendition of Norwegian country legend Rune Rudberg’s song “Nå er det freda’n igjen,” captivated the audience.
Speaking after his performance, Maombi acknowledged the challenges he faced but expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“My music is a brand,” he said. “I believe I can explore it further around the world, with better support from my fans and stronger networks.” He also hinted at the need for more structured management to help him navigate growing international interest.
Samson performed alongside Guy Pratt, Kinsey Rose, and Mac DeMarco.
