Kenyan singer and songwriter Nikita Kering’ has added another major award to her growing collection after winning Best Female East Africa at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) held in Dallas, Texas.
Nikita emerged the winner in a competitive category that included fellow Kenyans Njerae and Bridgit Blue, Tanzania’s Abigail Chams and Zuchu, Ethiopia’s Veronica Adane and Salemia, Rwanda’s Ariel Wayz, and Uganda’s Winnie Mwagi.
The win takes Nikita’s AFRIMMA tally to five awards. She previously won twice in 2019 and twice again in 2021.
Although she did not attend this year’s ceremony, the Niwache singer acknowledged the recognition on social media with a simple: “Thank you.”
A growing voice in African R&B
The award comes shortly after the release of her latest EP, The Lick Back, a project she has described as being about “revenge” and reclaiming her power.
Nikita has built a reputation as one of East Africa’s distinctive young R&B voices. With more than 100 million streams and views across platforms, her music has reached audiences well beyond Kenya.
Her journey in music began remarkably early. She stepped onto a stage at just three years old and has since grown into an award-winning singer and songwriter whose work continues to attract attention across Africa and internationally.
But her influence extends beyond music.
Nikita has used her platform to speak about artist ownership, creative freedom, representation and the growing global influence of African music. She has also openly addressed her experiences with cyberbullying and advocates for safer and healthier digital spaces for young people and creatives.
Her latest AFRIMMA recognition is another milestone in a career that continues to evolve , and a reminder of the growing influence of African women shaping the continent’s creative industries.
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