Curtains fall as Sauti Sol holds final concert

It has been 17 years of pure entertainment for Kenya and indeed the world from the group, and now the four band members are going their separate ways in what they say is music hiatus. 

Sauti Sol thrilled their fans in sold-out concert, the Sol Fest, which went down in Nairobi on November 2 and  November 4, 2023. 

Despite high ticket prices, the events saw a huge turnout from fans, with the tickets being sold out within hours of opening. 

And unlike last year where the band received backlash for a lacklustre performance at the annual event, this time round the group went out of its way to give value for the money spent on tickets. 

Highly ranked Kenyan singer Nyashinski, who has collaborated with Sauti Sol, headlined the festival, much to the admiration of the crowd. 

Despite announcing a hiatus, Nyashinski bowed out with the words "long live Sautisol", attracting a huge roar from the fans who didn't want the band to take a break.

"We have rehearsed for our final show for 17 years," Bien Baraza said on the final Sol Fest.  

Bien Baraza, Polycarp Otieno, Savara Mudigi and Austin Chimano stole the soul of Kenyans and indeed the world with hit after another, going on to win international awards among them the Best African Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.

But in May they announced that the group would take a hiatus, with its members pursuing individual projects. 

"Sauti Sol has been an incredible journey for us, both as musicians and friends. We are filled with gratitude for the love and support we have received throughout the years. While we take this hiatus to pursue our individual and collective passions, we remain committed to our friendship and our shared businesses. The bond between us is unbreakable, and we are excited for what the future holds,” the statement read in part.

Indeed the writings were on the wall already. Each Sauti Sol member was already releasing individual music by the time the announcement was made. 

The most prominent, however, has been Bien, who was the lead singer of the group. Talented, Bien has done solo projects which have become hits, and collaborated with other artists. 

Fans expressed their dismay at the break-up (or hiatus as they called it), and their huge turn-up for Sol Fest was a testament of how much they will miss the group.