Glen Washington is back in Kenya. The 67-year-old Jamaican reggae songwriter and drummer arrived earlier this month and is set to perform in both Nairobi and Nakuru during the Mashujaa weekend.
The Kindness For Weakness singer will headline the upcoming Pubs, Entertainment, and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) Pamoja Festival in Nakuru City.
The much-anticipated festival will be held at the Nakuru Athletics Club on Mashujaa Day, Sunday, October 20, 2024. PERAK has organized the festival to celebrate its 20th anniversary since its inception, promising an epic event.
Speaking at a press conference, Washington revealed that his band will also be jetting into the country next week ahead of the two scheduled shows, promising a massive show.
“The Pamoja PERAK festival in Nakuru will be massive for me as I am also excited to perform there. The love I have received so far has been amazing,” he said.
On his part, PERAK National Chairman Michael Muthami said they organized the event to celebrate our 20th anniversary since inception.
“We thought the best way to celebrate this great milestone was to go to the cities outside the capital and give our members a platform to showcase what they have in the hospitality industry,” Muthami said.
He added that the concert would be a perfect opportunity for members of the hospitality industry to network globally.
“This will be an opportunity for our members in the hospitality industry, an opportunity to network across the country and globally to improve their business,” he said.
Washington is also expected to perform at this year’s Africa Bound Reggae Fest 2024, which will be held at the KICC on October 19.
The 67-year-old singer also shared some interesting facts about his life, including overcoming challenges with marijuana and achieving sobriety.
“I used the substance a long time ago, but I stopped because I realized it was unnecessary. It was a matter of mind over matter, and one day I decided I didn’t need it anymore. At some point I couldn’t go on stage without a spliff,” he said.”When it was illegal, I loved smoking it, but when it was legalized, I hated it.” He also shared how many people doubted he could be successful without a “hit,” but he confirmed he has been clean and sober for several years now.
The Jamaican artist, who has been in the country for more than two weeks, added that Kenya feels like home now that he has acclimatized to the climate and society.
“This is not my first time in the country, for the tour I wanted to come early and also relax and look around. The last time I performed in Kisumu, I was called Ochieng, so this feels like home,” he said.
Washington also opened up about his love life and having five children with different.
” I don’t have a wife like you guys have in Africa, I wish I could. But I have five children with different baby mothers. I have been a rude boy for a long time but in this times now, I am settled and more wiser. Then I didn’t know what I was doing but I have passed those stages.” he added.
