THE NAIROBI FESTIVAL -Vibe of the City

The Nairobi Festival has captured the heart and soul of Nairobi. This inaugural event was held between 12th and 17th December 2022 and it delivered exactly what it promised, and then some. A vibe of the city indeed. Launched by Nairobi City County, the festival was meant to bring the people of Nairobi together through a shared pop culture (a vibe).

I attended the festival on 16th December, a Friday afternoon hoping to simply check it out and vamoose but I was completely awestruck.

Here is why:

New-Look Uhuru Park

Uhuru Park had been closed to members of the public for 13 months for renovations. The festival marked the reopening of Uhuru Park to visitors, much to our delight. And it is beautiful! The facelift was done by the then-Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) and it has completely paid off. 

The lawns and gardens are now well maintained, there are more clean benches to rest upon, the walkways are well paved and marked, the lighting is beautiful, the water fountains-splashing and the ferries wheel- larger for that extra adrenaline rush.  

I could attempt to tell you more about the new-look park, but I wager, you really need to see it for yourself. After the festival, the park will remain open to the public at no cost.

The organization

Despite the large crowds swarming into Uhuru Park, I did not suffer long queues. There was only a single gate (Gate A on Kenyatta Avenue) operating as both the entry and exit.

On entry, I bought my ticket for Kes. 100 by simply dialing the USSD *647# and following a few clear prompts, the amount was deducted from my M-Pesa and within less than 2 mins I received my ticket. 

No cash payments were allowed. Security checked and confirmed my ticket, then my hand was stamped and my bag was checked before being let in. The process? Seamless.

Art Exhibitions

There were some exquisite art pieces on display at Nairobi Festival. At one stand I saw amazing displays of a series of photographs depicting our wildlife, sceneries, and sunset shots against the city. 

Another stall displayed pictures of traditional regalia of different Kenyan communities in black and white, giving them such a vintage look. 

Wonderful paintings were also on display, some so beautiful I stood there in awe letting the emotions they stirred sweep over me, a testament to the incredible wealth of talent among our people.

Photo Booths

The Nairobi Festival was incredibly intentional about photography. Designated booths were set up beautifully against a backdrop of the event’s banners and branding, flowers, and amazing décor. 

These booths granted visitors an opportunity to take wonderful pictures of themselves and their loved ones creating memories to last a lifetime.

Food and Drinks

There was no shortage of food or drink. So many vendors were on site selling our Kenyan tea, samosas, peanuts, juices, ice cream, cotton candy, and a much larger array of snacks. But it was the food trucks that stole the show. 

The trucks were decorated to reflect their brands and the vibe of the city. They served proper meals, stews, hotdogs, and even our delicious Kenyan Nyama Choma at affordable rates. There was something for everyone.

Trade

Trade is at the center of any pop culture. How we do business with each other reflects our values and our commitment to one another. 

The Nairobi Festival acknowledged this and created a platform for local trade to flourish. So many start-ups got a chance to showcase and sell their products. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the young people selling handmade jewelry, crochet items such as sweaters and bikinis and numerous art pieces. 

They really made for excellent souvenirs. Corporate brands were also on-site representing the manufacturing, banking, and insurance industries.

What to Look Forward to

This festival was a first of its kind. It is anticipated to be an annual event meant to celebrate one another through our trade, culture, music, fashion, and high art. For an inaugural event, the city exceeded our expectations. 

I trust that any lessons learned from organizing this event will be useful in delivering an even better experience to Nairobians next year. If you are ever in the capital during the December festive season, I urge you to pay the festival a visit. It’s a vibe. Truly.

Writer: Winnie Wekesa