3.500 music fans gathered yesterday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi to celebrate Mashujaa Day in style at the highly anticipated ‘One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo’, title-sponsored by Stanbic Bank.
Artiste performances kicked off at 3:30 pm and wrapped up just after 8:00 pm, with the concert delivering on its promise of an elevated, premium daytime brunch experience. The lineup featured three standout live acts, beginning with Kenyan musician Mutoriah, who opened the stage with a high-energy performance that set the tone for the afternoon. Acclaimed UK-based band Sol and the Gang followed with a vibrant set, before three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Ne-Yo wrapped up the performances in style.
Throughout the event, top Kenyan DJs kept the energetic crowd—predominantly made up of millennials—on their feet, delivering seamless entertainment from start to finish.
Beyond delivering an exceptional entertainment showcase, the event served as a major commercial platform for Kenya’s creative economy. True to Stanbic Bank’s commitment to driving shared value, the production stimulated activity across the entire live-entertainment value chain—powering opportunities for local artists, technical and stage crews, sound engineers, production specialists, hospitality providers, security personnel, vendors, and micro- and small enterprises.
“Yesterday was a powerful demonstration of what happens when world-class entertainment meets meaningful local economic impact,” said Michael Mutiga, Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan. “Bringing over 3,000 fans together for an event of this scale went far beyond the stage performance; it generated critical business for the artists, technical teams, vendors, hospitality partners, and small enterprises that made this production seamless. Kenya’s creative sector is a dynamic driver of growth, and Stanbic Bank remains committed to strengthening this ecosystem, raising its commercial profile, and supporting the livelihoods anchored in it.”
The creative sector remains a vital contributor to Kenya’s national development. According to a 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), the creative industry contributes 5.32% to national GDP and provides formal employment for approximately 195,000 Kenyans, alongside extensive livelihood creation across the informal sector. Stanbic Bank’s sponsorship model underscores how curated cultural platforms can drive
domestic demand, showcase local capacity, and link home-grown enterprises to wider commercial opportunities.
Lilian Onyach, Head, Brand and Marketing, Stanbic Bank Kenya, noted:
“We set out to offer our clients and music enthusiasts a distinctive, world-class daytime experience, and the turnout and energy yesterday proved just how vibrant Kenya’s entertainment market is. By starting in the mid-afternoon and closing out early, ‘One Night Only’ preserved its brunch atmosphere while celebrating the artistry, logistical skill, and commercial depth of our local creative industry.”
Stanbic Bank continues to be recognised for brand excellence and market leadership, having recently been named Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Awards. Furthermore, through Standard Bank Group, it was ranked as Africa’s Most Valuable Bank Brand by Brand Finance for the fifth consecutive year.
