Bien-Aimé Baraza turned the Carnivore Grounds into a nostalgia-filled party on Saturday night when members of Sauti Sol joined him onstage during his Alusa Continua world-tour stop in Nairobi. The group delighted fans with a surprise mini-set of the band’s hits like “Short n Sweet”.
The show is part of Bien’s solo Alusa Continua tour, which has already stopped in Eldoret and Meru and countries around the world, including the US and UK.
The sold-out Nairobi show pulled a crowd eager for both new solo material and unexpected throwbacks.
The band appeared together midway through the night as Bien brought his bandmates on to the stage to perform together, a moment many took as a warm reminder that the quartet’s chemistry remains intact even as they pursue individual projects. Though Sauti Sol announced an indefinite hiatus in 2023 to focus on solo work, the surprise reunion at Bien’s concert was a reminder that the group still gathers for special moments.
The band is slated to reunite again for their annual Sol Fest, the group’s festival brand, later this year, a chance for many fans to see the quartet perform together.
Largely, the concert was attended by who’s who of Kenyan music and entertainment – established artists such as Wahu, Nameless and Muthoni the Drummer Queen were spotted in the crowds, as well as influencers like Ivy and PR specialist Anyiko Owoko.
One of the evening’s emotional highlights came when Bien dedicated a song to his partner and manager, Chiki Kuruka, a personal touch that underscored how the night blended showmanship with intimacy.
Fans who attended the show said the instrumental parts were some of the best parts of the show.
“The energy that the bands put into those musical instruments is exactly why I love live music,” said Akaka, while another, Claudia, shyly said, “A time was had.”
After his stop in Nairobi, Bien will continue to Australia for the final leg of his 2025 tour. He is expected to perform some shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
