MEMA Gala 2026

Recognising the best in Female Artist of the Year.

Recognising the most impactful Afrobeats artist driving Kenya's urban sound globally.

The gospel musician who most inspired faith and community this year.

Winner

FK

Fenny Kerubo

Kenya's Sweetheart of Gospel

20 votes

The rapper who best commanded lyricism, flow, and cultural relevance.

The artist who best captured emotion, groove, and vocal excellence.

The artist who dominated the dancehall space with energy and hits.

Honouring excellence in Kenya's coastal taarab music tradition.

The artist with the widest mainstream appeal and hit-making ability.

Recognising excellence in jazz performance and composition in Kenya.

The producer behind the most impactful beats and sonic landscapes.

The writer whose pen produced the most memorable songs.

The visual that best complemented and elevated its song.

The artist who consistently delivered unforgettable live experiences.

The broadcast platform doing most to promote Kenyan music.

The musician leveraging social platforms most authentically and effectively.

The professional who best guided an artist's career growth.

Recognising an individual investing in the next generation of musicians.

Recognising Kenyan artists making an impact from abroad.

The newest voice that captured Kenya's attention this year.

Recognising an artist using their platform to drive social impact.

Honouring a musician whose career-long contribution has shaped Kenyan music.

An influencer or personality who most effectively promoted music brands or artists.

Recognising the standout musical talent from Kenya's capital and its environs.

Recognising the best in Male Artist of the Year.

The song that defined the Afrobeats dancefloor this year.

The worship or gospel track that moved hearts and topped church playlists.

The track that best demonstrated wordplay, delivery, and message.

The track that best blended rhythm, blues, and soulful storytelling.

Celebrating roots reggae and conscious music in Kenya.

Celebrating the best in Kenya's iconic benga genre.

The catchiest, most commercially successful song of the year.

Celebrating the blues tradition and its contemporary expression.

The track with the most outstanding production quality.

The song with the most profound, clever, or moving lyrical content.

The creative vision behind the most compelling music videos.

The event that best delivered value, energy, and production quality.

Recognising the writer or broadcaster shaping music discourse.

A non-performing creator producing outstanding music-related digital content.

The platform doing most to get Kenyan music to global audiences.

The institution most effectively developing musical talent in Kenya.

A Kenyan artist's most impactful collaboration with an international act.

Recognising outstanding musical talent from artists 21 and under.

An artist or music organisation making tangible community difference.

Celebrating an icon whose influence continues to resonate across generations.

A creator who built a significant following through music-adjacent content without being a performing artist.

Celebrating the best music coming out of Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, and the wider coast.

Recognising the best in Emerging Gospel Artist of the Year.

Celebrating the best in Kenya's homegrown gengetone movement.

Recognising excellence in congregational worship ministry.

The most cohesive rap project of the year.

Artists pushing the boundaries of soul into contemporary territory.

The track that ruled the dancehall floors.

Recognising artists preserving indigenous music heritage.

An artist defying genre boundaries with fresh, modern sound.

The most compelling original jazz or blues composition.

Recognising technical excellence in mixing and mastering.

An instrumental or score that stood out for its originality.

The most innovative and creative concept executed in a music video.

The artist who stole the show at a major festival or multi-artist event.

The digital or physical platform most supporting Kenyan artists.

The organic social media moment that captured the nation's attention.

The most creative and mutually beneficial artist-brand collaboration.

An artist whose trajectory signals a major career ahead.

The individual whose dance challenge went viral and drove massive music streams.

Honouring musical excellence from the Rift Valley's diverse communities.

Recognising the best in Gospel Song of the Year.

The artist blending pop sensibilities with African rhythms most seamlessly.

The most impactful gospel body of work released this year.

Recognising raw lyrical skill in freestyle or cypher format.

Recognising outstanding vocal delivery in any R&B/Soul release.

Artists creatively blending traditional sounds with contemporary music.

The most complete pop project released this year.

The label that best developed and promoted Kenyan artists.

Outstanding camera work and visual storytelling.

The creator driving music discovery and trends on TikTok.

Blending fashion, culture, and music into compelling content.

Recognising outstanding talent from Western Kenya including Kisumu, Kakamega, and surrounding areas.

Recognising the best in Gospel Video of the Year.

Two or more artists whose joint work elevated the urban music space.

Bridging modern music production with gospel message.

Two or more rappers whose joint work stood out.

The recording facility most associated with quality productions.

The individual whose influence most shaped music conversations and consumption online.

The online voice whose music reviews and commentary carry the most weight.

Celebrating the best from Machakos, Kitui, Meru, and Eastern Kenya.

Recognising the best in Gospel Collaboration of the Year.

The most complete body of Afrobeats work released this year.

Recognising choral excellence in Kenyan gospel music.

The channel delivering the best music content, reviews, or performances on YouTube.

Documenting studio sessions, tours, or the making of music in engaging ways.

Honouring talent from Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, and the Mount Kenya region.

Recognising the best in Audio Producer of the Year.

The artist or group whose performances and music drive the dance culture.

The church whose music department most powerfully served its congregation and community.

The artist or personality building the most authentic music community on Instagram.

Capturing the cultural conversation around music through humour and relatable content.

Celebrating musical talent and cultural expression from North Eastern Kenya.

Recognising the best in Video Director of the Year.

The song that took over matatus, estates, and street culture.

Recognising a church leader whose spiritual and musical leadership has shaped gospel in Kenya.

The audio or video podcast most insightfully covering Kenyan music and the industry.

The music figure with the most engaged social media following in Kenya.

The artist from outside Nairobi who broke into the national spotlight this year.

Recognising the best in Photography of the Year.

A church or faith organisation using music as a vehicle for charitable community impact.

The most impactful musical collaboration between artists from different Kenyan regions.

The church choir delivering the highest standard of choral worship.

The concert, festival, or music event outside Nairobi that most elevated local talent.

A faith-based radio programme or station elevating gospel music and messages.

Recognising outstanding instrumental skill in a gospel music context.

Celebrating Kenyan women of faith who have built powerful ministries, inspired millions, and championed women's spiritual growth and empowerment.

Winner

KK

Kathy Kiuna

Kenya's First Lady of Faith & Fashion

22 votes

RL

Rev. Lucy Natasha

The Prophet in Heels

12 votes