Kenya Crown Awards 2026: DJ MacJOJ Wins as Mugithi Thrives

The Kenya Crown Awards brought the heart of Kikuyu music and digital culture to Spur Mall in Ruiru, Kiambu County, on the evening of July 9, 2026. DJ MacJOJ claimed the headline title of Best Male Kikuyu DJ after accumulating 322,440 public votes — a margin of popular support that underscored both the engagement of the genre's fanbase and the reach of his following across Nairobi, Central Kenya, and the diaspora communities that vote from abroad.

The Winners and What They Represent

Wanja Asali claimed Best Female Mugithi Artist. Ninety-K Kamsoo took Best Male Mugithi Artist. Luciana Creatives swept both Digital Influencer of the Year and Best Female Digital Creator. DJ JACY was named Best Female Kikuyu DJ, while MC Kasper Mwenyewe took Best Hype MC. The Kikuyu Festival was recognised as Best Kikuyu Cultural Festival 2026.

What Comes Next

Organisers indicated the Kenya Crown Awards will return in 2027 with an expanded voting period and additional categories to accommodate the growing breadth of Kikuyu-language digital content.