Sakaja Announces Festival To Be Held Every Year

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja has unveiled an annual Nairobi Festival, which will bring together the famous arts, culture and sports in the city streets.

Speaking while meeting the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce officials on Thursday, September 22, Sakaja explained the festival dubbed 'vibe of the city', will see streets set aside so that some of the country's finest showpieces and food loved by Kenyans will be displayed for those attending the event.

The festival will be held every December 12 after the Jamhuri Day celebrations.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting with the Nairobi chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, September 22, 2022. /GOVERNOR JOHNSON SAKAJA

The county government will partner with the organisers NaiFest, an annual event, to support art and talent.

The festival will also feature awards for the best designed matatus in the city.

"In December, we will set aside some streets to display culture, food, creativity, have the nganya awards for the best done matatus, have rugby, football and basketball tournaments and many other activities,” he said. 

This will be part of Sakaja's promises made during his campaigns to create an environment for local creatives to thrive and be empowered as they showcase what they're made of.

On that regard, Sakaja promised to review the "archaic" laws that have over the years hurt photography, videography, film and the creative industry in Nairobi.

"When we say we want to be pro-business it is not just passive to stop harassment of traders but we want to be proactive to facilitate and promote. There are many archaic laws, including those that hamper creativity and innovation, and we are going to weed those out," he stated.

Creatives, especially photographers and videographers, have for long been colliding with City Hall officials over requirements to be allowed to shoot in the capital.

Usually, they have had to obtain a permit from the Department of Filming Services, through a filming agent, a letter from the police, and part with fees of up to approximately Ksh5,000 for a single day.

The Governor at the same time welcomed partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to improve the ease of doing business within Nairobi. 

"Business people should spend more time doing business and not chasing compliance issues," Sakaja insisted.

A man in Umoja, Nairobi customises smokie trolley, inspired by one of the city's most famous pimped matatus (nganya) plying the route. /FILE