Nameless, E-Sir's brother, Jua Cali, Sanaipei Tande give electrifying old-school show at Sol Fest

Sol Fest has returned in style, drawing hundreds of music lovers to Uhuru Gardens for a vibrant celebration of Kenyan music as the festival marked five years since its inception.

The two-day event, held on Friday and Saturday in Nairobi, brought together generations of artistes in what has become one of the country’s most anticipated live music showcases.

2025’s edition honoured Kenya’s rich musical heritage while spotlighting fresh talent shaping the future of the industry.

The 2025 Sol Fest was structured around three key segments, blending old-school classics, Afro-pop rhythms backed by live bands, and performances by emerging artistes. The result was a seamless mix of nostalgia and contemporary sounds that kept the audience engaged throughout.

A wave of nostalgia swept through the crowd when Sanaipei Tande and Jua Cali reunited on stage to perform Kwaheri, with fans singing every word in a moment that stood out as one of the night’s highlights.

Nameless later took to the stage alongside Habib, the brother of the late E-Sir, to perform Boomba Train. The performance stirred deep emotion, recalling the era when Ogopa Deejays dominated Kenyan airwaves and paying tribute to E-Sir, whose life was cut short in a tragic road accident in 2003.

.

The transition from classic hits to new-school sounds continued when Lyrikali joined Nameless on stage, symbolising Sol Fest’s core mission of bridging generations through music.

Dancehall performer Kabudaa Bazuu thrilled fans with his energetic routines alongside fellow dancers, setting the pace early on.

Bien and Khaligraph Jones later took over the stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy with their hit collaboration, 'Yes Bana.'

Khaligraph, the self-proclaimed OG, went on to perform Mbona, reaffirming his dominance on the Kenyan hip-hop scene.

Toxic Lyrikali delivered one of the most electric performances of the night, with fans singing along to his popular track Backbencher as energy levels surged across the venue.

Founded by Sauti Sol, Sol Fest remains Kenya’s premier music festival, created to celebrate African musical talent on a broader international platform following the group’s decision to pursue individual careers.