EXPERIENCE THE RHYTHM

Konpa, Connection & Culture from Haiti to Kenya

About Us

We Are Kitel Mache

Kitel Mache brings the heartbeat of Haiti to East Africa through unforgettable Konpa nights, live performances, dance classes, and cultural experiences. Whether you're a lifelong dancer or just discovering the rhythm, our events are where community and celebration come alive.

Your Monthly Dose of Konpa

Konpa Night

Konpa Night is our monthly celebration where Haitian rhythm meets Kenyan creativity. Expect a night of sensual Konpa dancing, electrifying DJ sets, and live performances by talented Kenyan artists. Whether you're here to learn the moves, feel the vibe, or just enjoy great music and community—Konpa Night is where cultures connect and the dance floor comes alive.

A weekend to remember

Konpa Watamu 2025

Konpa Watamu is a 3-day escape where Haitian rhythm meets coastal Kenyan beauty. It's not a festival. It's an experience.

Picture this: dance classes by the beach, DJs spinning Konpa until late, live performances from Haiti and Kenya, and a magical Dhow ride at sunset.
It’s intimate, vibrant, and full of heart—designed for dancers, dreamers, and anyone who moves to the beat of connection.

Let the ocean breeze carry the rhythm. We’re back. Bigger. Better. Badder.

Learn more & Register

What is Kitel Mache

Kitel Mache in Haitian Creole means “Let it Go”. It is a popular line used in many Konpa songs and often times proceeds the instrumental climax of Konpa songs called the Gouyad. Kitel Mache is a powerfully optimistic approach to dealing with adversity and hardship. It is a way of life. It reminds us that no matter what life throws at us we can overcome it. It reminds us not to dwell on what is not working and instead focus on what we can control - our dance and our vibration on the dancefloor. It is a symbol of resistance and positive energy. It is a light in the night sky and the more you embrace it the more it empowers you to make the most out of your life.

⁠The symbolism of Kitel Mache - the positivity, the egalitarian belief that we all equally deserve to be happy and the empowering mindset to defy life’s challenges - is also the foundation of the community that we are trying to build based on the joint love for Konpa music. To foster this spirit we organize Konpa-themed events to bring people together, replenish energies and create unforgettable memories. We wish to reach as many people as possible through Konpa music and lighten up their lives with good vibes. The energy of Kitel Mache is contagious, so be careful it just might infest you too

Meet the Crew

Lenny

I’m Lenny. Official title: Chief Vibe Officer. Unofficial title: Chaos Architect. I design experiences that blur the line between party and legend. In charge of keeping the adrenaline high and the vibes unstoppable. Warning: stand too close and you’ll catch the energy🔥

From Germany

Memo

I’m Bronwyn — Kenyan culture curator, social media magician, and proud overuser of hashtags and emojis. I turn ancient wisdom into viral content, mix folklore with filters, and occasionally bribe the algorithm with chai and good vibes. Follow along — it’s culture, but make it scroll-worthy

From Kenya

Chloée

I’m Chloée, your Haitian Culture Curator. I’m here to keep our culture real, rich, and rooted in every event we share. Konpa isn’t just music—it’s our identity and our joy. Through every beat, we carry Haiti with us.

And together, we’ll make sure our rhythm is never forgotten.

From Haiti

Chris

I’m Christian – Haitian music producer and your behind-the-scenes guy to making every event unforgettable!

From Haiti

Jan

I’m Jan, the tech guy. Can’t dance to save my life, but I love Konpa and Haiti with all my heart.

From Germany

What is Konpa

Konpa is Haiti’s iconic music and dance style, created in the 1950s by Nemours Jean-Baptiste. Drawing on the Haitian méringue, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and jazz influences, konpa offers a smooth, steady groove built for close, intimate partner dancing. Its name comes from the Creole adaptation of “compas,” meaning rhythm or beat, reflecting both the musical pulse and the idea of moving in sync with others.

In Haitian life, konpa is far more than just entertainment—it’s a cultural heartbeat. It plays at weddings, carnivals, political rallies, and neighborhood gatherings, dissolving social barriers and uniting people across class, age, and region. For the Haitian diaspora, konpa is a nostalgic anchor, keepin

g traditions alive and passing Creole culture to new generations. Its influence has also rippled beyond Haiti, shaping genres like zouk in the French Antilles and inspiring artists across the Caribbean.

Through its rhythm, konpa carries Haiti’s story of resilience, joy, and community, reminding listeners—no matter where they are—of the strength found in moving together.

In recent years, konpa has been winning new audiences far beyond the Caribbean. African countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and Angola have embraced its smooth grooves, blending it with local styles, while European cities with vibrant diaspora communities—Paris, Brussels, London—have become hubs for konpa concerts and dance festivals. This global spread is turning konpa into a shared Afro-diasporic sound, connecting continents through rhythm and celebration.

Wherever the beat travels, it carries Haiti’s soul—an unbroken pulse that invites the world to dance in step with its joy.