From ‘Sonini’ to Sunrise: How Kunye turned Uhuru Gardens into a continental dancefloor

The echoes of “Qamata Sonini,” “No Space Without You,” “GQTech,” “Like Dat,” “Abalele,” and “Haiboo” have refused to quiet down. If your timeline has not yet flooded you with the thousands of videos and photos that sparked either nostalgia or serious FOMO, allow this to be your guided tour of what unfolded.

Kunye, a Xhosa word meaning “together,” lived up to its name on Saturday, February 28, 2025, when more than 7,000 revelers filled Uhuru Gardens with a shared mission: to dance for 12 uninterrupted hours as one.

Curated by South African DJ Shimza, the festival celebrates the global rise of Afro-house, afrotech, gqom and the broader electronic sound shaping dance floors across the continent.

In its third Kenyan edition, Kunye was its biggest yet, bringing together Kenyan, South African and American DJs in a line-up that reflected both local depth and international appeal.

From the outset, organisation stood out. Entry was orderly, ticket checkpoints moved efficiently and a functional support desk addressed any issues. With a crowd of that size, minor hitches are inevitable, but the process was largely seamless.

Even before stepping fully onto the grounds, the music announced itself. The sound system was crisp and immersive, every beat felt, every lyric clear.

Later, when heavy rain poured over the venue, the audio remained impressively steady, cutting through the downpour and folding the storm into the atmosphere rather than fighting it.

DJ Santa opened the day, setting a steady pace before Euggy took over with an electrifying set that included tracks from his latest EP. Suraj followed back-to-back with Sofiya Nzau, a pairing that underscored the strength of Kenya’s afro-house and electronic scene.

The early sets felt warm and welcoming, grounded in familiar sounds from Kenyan producers, easing the crowd into what would become a marathon night.

As evening settled in, Stoffela and Mila-Rose carried the momentum forward, paving the way for Darque. His performance was commanding, punctuated by Shimza’s “No Shape Without You” and capped with his own “Nkosi.” The response from the crowd suggested a set that struck both emotional and rhythmic chords.

Sun-El Musician then stepped up and elevated the energy further. “Sonini” became a standout moment, with thousands singing in unison: “Qamata Sonini, Themba Lami nguwe” translated loosely as “Together forever, my trust is you.”

While many expected a catalogue-heavy set, he blended his hits with tracks from artists such as Chella, Jazzworx, Thukuthela and Simmy, offering variety without losing cohesion.

DJ Maphorisa followed with an Afro-house set that kept the crowd in constant motion. From start to finish, the performance was tightly curated and high-energy.

His visible enjoyment on stage mirrored the crowd’s response, sustaining nearly 90 minutes of unrelenting dance.

Ape Drums of Major Lazer fame was next, arriving just as the rain intensified. The downpour did little to dampen spirits.

His set spanned Afro-house and gqom, with a memorable remix of Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars” lingering long after the final note.

Although rain caused three brief power interruptions at the decks, organisers restored operations swiftly each time, preventing prolonged disruption.

Finally, just past midnight, Shimza closed the night.

By then, the grass beneath the crowd had turned to mud, gumboots were caked, and fatigue had set in.

Yet his two-hour set served as a reminder of why thousands had purchased tickets in the first place. It was polished, deliberate and electric, a fitting finale to a long day.

Beyond the music, the broader experience held up well.

Food and drink vendors were sufficiently distributed, security presence was visible, and while isolated incidents of pickpocketing were reported, there were no major safety concerns.

The tented setup accommodated most attendees comfortably, with minor spillover into vendor areas.

Organisers had communicated weather expectations and limited parking in advance, allowing attendees to plan accordingly.

That foresight appeared to ease logistical strain on the day.

Kunye 2025 was not just a concert but a carefully executed gathering of sound, weather, mud and movement.

For many, it was a reminder of how powerful shared rhythm can be. Until the next edition, the refrain lingers. Sala kakuhle.