Kenyan Swahili country music star Samson Maombi nearly missed his debut at the Tromsø Country Festival in Norway following a string of last-minute travel setbacks.
Maombi, who was scheduled to fly out on July 9, was initially denied a visa, with the consulate informing him that he did not qualify. However, following an appeal, he was summoned on the same day to submit his passport for urgent processing.
Thanks to intervention from the Norwegian Embassy, the visa was approved late that Friday evening.
Relieved but not yet in the clear, Maombi faced another hurdle: his hosts asked him to book his own flight, promising reimbursement upon arrival.
With no funds to raise the approximately Sh200,000 airfare, he reached out to his US-based manager for assistance.
A flight was booked for Friday at 11 p.m., but it was unexpectedly voided, forcing Maombi to spend the night at the airport trying to salvage his travel plans. After two failed attempts, he finally secured a valid ticket early Saturday morning.
In a race against time, Maombi landed in Tromsø just 30 minutes before his performance. Without rehearsal or time to recover from jet lag, he went straight from the airport to the stage, delivering a high-energy set that featured his viral hit Nitauimba Wimbo and three other songs.
“I didn’t have even a minute to rest. I just alighted and went straight to the stage, no rehearsal, no soundcheck. But I never disappointed,” Maombi said.
The festival featured renowned global acts, including Guy Pratt, Kinsey Rose, and Mac DeMarco, placing Maombi among country music’s international heavyweights.
Despite the successful performance, Maombi hinted at ongoing challenges with his management, which he believes have limited his exposure.
“I had an invitation to perform in Canada that fell through, just like another one in the US. With a more active team, that wouldn’t have happened,” he said.
Now, he hopes to connect with more serious partners to help propel his career globally.
“My music is a brand. I believe I can explore it further around the world, with better support from my fans and stronger networks,” he said.