Tems set to perform in Kenya after 2-year hiatus
Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openyi, popularly known as Tems, is expected to perform at one of Kenya’s most popular music, arts, and lifestyle festivals, Blankets and Wines, towards the end of the year.
The celebrated artist will be performing in Kenya for the first time since her last cancelled festival back in October of 2022.
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Blankets and Wines event organisers went on X on the evening of Thursday, July 24, 2025, sharing the exciting news with her fans.
According to the event organisers, Tems will be headlining the iconic festival on the 28th of September 2025 in Nairobi alongside other Kenyan talents.
The celebrated African artist recently hit the headlines following her electric performance on stage at the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup Final halftime show on July 13, 2025, in New Jersey, United States of America.
“Get ready for an unforgettable time on September 28th as we bring together an electrifying lineup featuring the sensational talents,” tweeted the organisers.
Other artistes performing
Other Kenyan artists on board will be multi-talented Kenyan singer, songwriter and eccentric performer, best known as a member of high-flying Kenyan music group, Sauti Sol, Willis Chimano.
Alongside Chimano will be Kenya’s songstress and performer Zaituni Wambui, renowned for pioneering “Urban Taarab,” a genre that fuses traditional Swahili Taarab music with contemporary urban sounds.
Further, the organisers revealed that Ugandan-based singer Joshua Baraka, best known for his hit song Wrong Places, will be performing. Baraka recently sparked an online sensation after revealing his Kenyan roots. The celebrated Ugandan artiste, in a recent interview, disclosed that his father is Kenyan from Busia, Western Kenya, while his mother is Ugandan.
Baraka further revealed that he spent part of his childhood in Eldoret, Kenya. Similarly, during the interview, Baraka spoke in his native Kenyan dialect to affirm his Kenyan heritage.
Tems’ cancelled show in Kenya
In October 2022, Tems was expected to headline Tukutane Concert; however, the much-anticipated show was cancelled. At that time, Tems took to her X account and cited the reasons behind her control.
“Hey, Kenya. Honestly, it is quite heartbreaking to say this, but I will not be able to perform at the Tukutane Festival due to circumstances beyond my control. I am as disappointed as you all are, but I look forward to coming and giving you a show that you deserve. Love you all.” Tems tweeted.
Her communication disappointed many of her Kenyan fans who were looking forward to her thrilling performance.
Meanwhile, Tukutane Concert organisers responded to fans’ outcry following the disappointing news from Tems by releasing a statement revealing that Tems’ management informed them that the musician was no longer comfortable coming to Kenya and that she did not even want to perform for her Kenyan fans.
“As of three days ago, all was going according to schedule and plan. We paid for Tems in full 15 days before the performance date, and to our surprise, as soon as the payment was made, her manager mentioned that she is no longer comfortable coming to Kenya and just does not want to perform for her Kenyan fans. We were shaken, heartbroken, and financially wounded,” read part of Tukutane Entertainment’s statement.
