Bien custome at Africa Forward Le Concert divides opinions
By Valerian Khakayi, May 14, 2026Bien-Aimé Baraza‘s outfit at the Africa Forward Summit divided opinion among fans and fashion lovers.
The Kenyan singer was among the artistes who performed at the Africa Forward Le Concert, the official closing concert of the Africa Forward Summit 2026, with his bold outfit quickly becoming a topic of discussion on social media.
While some fans praised the look as stylish, confident and creative, others claimed the outfit resembled that of former DRC President Mobutu Sese Seko, known for his signature hats and military-inspired fashion style.
The comparisons quickly sparked debate online, with social media users sharing different interpretations of Bien’s appearance.
However, the singer appeared to hint at a different inspiration. In his Instagram Stories, Bien shared a photo of Patrice Lumumba, suggesting that his outfit may have been inspired by the iconic Congolese independence leader.
Lumumba was the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and remains one of Africa’s most celebrated symbols of independence, pan-Africanism and resistance against colonial rule.
Some fans praised the move, saying the look could have been a tribute to African history and pan-African identity, while others continued debating the fashion choice online.
Despite the divided opinions, many agreed that the outfit succeeded in capturing attention at the summit, once again placing Bien at the centre of online conversation.
Africa Forward Le Concert
The electrifying night music event drew high-profile dignitaries from across Africa, including President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside senior government officials, diplomats, Cabinet Secretaries and creatives from across the continent.
Kenya’s delegation included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano, among other leaders.
President William Ruto, while addressing the crowd, praised Africa’s creative economy and its role in empowering young people.
“This is the grand finale where we are going to witness our finest artists. We believe that the creative economy and artists are one of our biggest engines of job creation and empowerment for our young people. We are very proud to be part of this event.”
Ruto also thanked Macron for visiting Kenya and strengthening ties between Africa and France.
“Emmanuel, thank you very much for paying us a visit. You are welcome to Kenya anytime. You have demonstrated to us that you are our friend,” he added.