Nairobi, Kenya, Dec 9 – Kenyans planning to attend the inaugural Nairobi Festival, which kicks off next week, will be charged Sh 100 per day to enter Uhuru Park, the event’s venue.
Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja said Friday that children will part with Sh 50 daily for the fun-filled fair which will run from December 12-17.
“We are charging Sh 100 shillings for adults, and Sh 50 for children per day, that is through our Nairobi Pay platform *647#. That is how we are going to collect the charges and people can prepay,” he said.
Governor Sakaja stated that proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the vulnerable in society, particularly children’s homes and nursing homes, a move he says is part of the county government’s Christmas donation to the needy.
He stated that the festival, which begins this year will be conducted every year and aims to showcase and celebrate the life and culture of the Nairobian including food, film, and fashion.
“The Nairobi Festival is a chance for us to celebrate the core of who we are as Nairobi and to acknowledge all the different sectors that make Nairobi what it is. A city is not just about brick and mortar, it is not about roads and buildings, but it’s about a vibe, it’s about people, it’s about our culture, it’s about our positioning and what we sell to the world,” he said.
The County boss pointed out that the event will also give Nairobians an opportunity to celebrate ICT and innovation.
“Nairobi is the silicone savannah. It is the hotbed of innovation in the region,” he said.
The celebration will also feature performing arts, artwork, photography, and creative graffiti.
At least 50 artists and 40 DJs will grace the event which will mostly feature Nairobi-based artistes we’re going to feature upcoming artists, and established artistes.
Players in the Matatu sector will also not be left behind during the highly-anticipated fiesta.
“We will also showcase our Matatu culture, with various stakeholders across the board and the public will also have an opportunity to vote for the most creative Matatu and Transports Sacco and even the ones that are the most organized and best-behaved,” he added.
Sakaja said that several traders have also be signed up to showcase their wares and sell their products.
While thanking the national government and President William Ruto for supporting the idea, Sakaja said that there exists a huge economic potential and great opportunities in having an annual festival.
He singled out Nigeria where he argued that the creative economy is the second, biggest employer after agriculture noting that Kenya equally needs to tap and invest heavily in the sector.
“The Nairobi Festival presents in catalyzing the creative economy in our city. The creative economy is indeed an economic frontier that hasn’t been tapped and there are many people who think this is not a priority that they don’t understand the potential that the creative economy has,” Sakaja said.
For football lovers, the ongoing World Cup games in Qatar will be screened daily at the venue of the festival.
While commenting on the security arrangements, Sakaja said that adequate security will be provided to secure all those who will participate in the event and all Nairobians.
“Security is definitely a concern of Kenyans and through the Nairobi Regional commander, we have beefed up security both uniformed and non-uniformed officers, and not just here at the park during the festival, but all the way from the bus stops, all the way from inside the CBD, the walkways, the path where people will use to come here, you will see security, both from the National Police Service as well as our own enforcement and inspectorate security team from the County government. So don’t try anything,” said the governor.
A talent search will also be carried out during the event.
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