‘You put Kenya on the global stage’ – Chiki praises Bien after Afro Nation performance
By Paulette Mboga, July 4, 2026Chiki Kuruka has praised musician Bien after his performance at Afro Nation, saying he helped take Kenya to the global stage.
She reflected on the impact of his appearance at the festival and said artists have the power to represent their countries through culture, music, dance and fashion.
“Last week, my dad said words I needed to hear. In life, there is hard power and soft power. Both are important,” Chiki Kuruka said on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
She explained that artists carry what she described as soft power because they introduce their country’s culture to people across the world. According to her, this influence may not always be obvious, but it has the ability to shape how people think and feel about a country.
Chiki Kuruka also shared advice she received from her father before reflecting on Bien’s achievement. She said he reminded her to stay focused despite outside opinions and to remember the value of the work being done through music and culture.
“My dad looked me in my eyes and said, ignore the noise, and remember your power. It does more for the world than you know,” Chiki Kuruka said.
Celebrating Kenya on the world stage
She said Bien’s performance helped showcase different parts of Kenya to an international audience. Chiki Kuruka explained that the moment was about more than music because it also highlighted Kenyan dance, fashion and stories to people from around the world.
“We did it, babe. In this show we carried Kenyan dance. Kenyan music. Kenyan fashion, and Kenyan narratives, to a GLOBAL stage. People who have never even thought of Kenya before got to experience it at a global level. What does this mean?”
“It means they may visit. They may invest. They may marry a Kenyan. They may listen to another Kenyan artist. They may follow another Kenyan dancer. They may challenge an ignorant comment. They may purchase a Kenyan design. The possibilities are endless,” Chiki Kuruka said.
She ended her message by congratulating Bien for the achievement. Chiki Kuruka said representing Kenya in that way was an important role and praised him for delivering on the global stage.
“THAT is our job, and we did it. And you know what, Bien, you did it DAMN well,” Chiki Kuruka said.