Mukuru Festival is an initiative by Mukuru Youth Initiative, a community based organization in the Mukuru slums. In 2018 Mukuru Festival was organized and implemented in partnership with 11 more organizations including  Wajukuu Arts, Reuben United CBO, Creative Hands Initiative, Mukuru Arts, Sauti Afrika, Mukuru Community Justice Centre, Arts and Talents Kenya and Know Your City TV, Nameta Trust, Hidden Treasure Boxing and Mukuru dance crews.

Mukuru Festivals aims at recognizing, appreciating and encouraging change makers in Mukuru and celebrating different achievements in the community, it’s also a platform for young people to express themselves through arts and sports hence challenging different power structure in the community to promote youth inclusion in decision making.

2018 was the 6^th annual Mukuru festival/Awards with an 8 days program running from 24^th November to 1^st December 2018

 Overview

In 2018 Mukuru Festival was the biggest ever festival to be held in any slum in Kenya, the unique thing about the festival was; it was a community organized and owned initiative with the community having a ultimate say on what happens during the festival.

2018 theme ‘Tujikuze pamoja’ a Swahili phrase meaning  ‘Let us grow in unity’, Mukuru Festival created a platform for the community to interact and understand issues like; Human rights, Young people Engagement in Governance, How to use art for social change and importance of safe and social spaces in the community. The campaign was run not only through the activities but also through radio shows, TV shows and social media.

Mukuru Festival over the years have been attracting artist not only from Mukuru but also from other areas. In 2018 it was no exception; artist came from as far as Mathare, Korogocho, Kariobangi and kibera slums.

Many artist, footballers, individuals and organizations drew interest to be part of the festival with constant Facebook messages, posts, calls and WhatsApp messages.

 

The organizing team played a very important role in ensuring everything went as planned and at the end of the 8 days we achieved our main objectives.