Entertainment

Students at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival translating policy themes into a playbook for everyday commerce, showing households and small firms how cashless payments, clean records and disciplined borrowing cut costs and unlock growth.

Building on the festival theme Bold Storytellers, Digital Stages: Driving Kenya’s Development Through Theatre and Film, and Equity Bank’s sub theme Leveraging Technology to Make Banking a Lifestyle – From a Place You Go to Something You Do, performances showed audiences how to adopt digital tools that build credit trails and widen market access.

The scenes are familiar and relatable. A kiosk owner drops loose cash for QR and e wallet acceptance, builds an auditable trail and secures stock financing. Parents shift school fees to digital rails for speed and verifiable receipts. Youth agripreneurs pool savings on apps to fund inputs and insure harvests, while women led collectives lean on instant payment to reach customers across counties and into regional markets. Alongside the opportunity, students confront risk head on, from basic cyber hygiene to responsible digital borrowing, tying clean data to affordable credit.

Kayole South Senior School trainer Morgan Odera was among those testing the boundaries of financial storytelling. He said their spoken word piece linked national identity to present day financial inclusion by blending Kenya’s independence story with the role of education finance in creating awareness.  

“We have just performed a spoken word talking about how Kenya gained independence and how the bank chips in to benefit students, mostly through its education programs and by supporting businesspeople and Kenya’s development in general,” he said.

Performed by student Sheila Akinyi, the work drew mixed reactions for its ambition. “It is hard to combine a spoken word about independence with current affairs,” Mr Odera noted. “The artist was creative enough to blend the independence struggles and the bank’s support to students through Wings to Fly, which supports them at higher education level.” The piece underscored a simple economic arc: access to education and skills pulls more young Kenyans into a modern, increasingly digital economy, the same transformation students advocate through safer, smarter money habits.

At Precious Blood Riruta, lead choreographer Amos Othengo Pinto threaded a small trader narrative into dance and gave it commercial stakes. A mama mboga closes her day by banking takings to build a savings record and grow her enterprise. “After a day with her customers, she can save in the bank to boost the business,” he said, explaining how the team blended African and hip-hop styles to tell a modern finance story on a digital stage.

Performed by the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication under the Equity theme, the play Giza Gizani also confronted abuse of power, silence, absent parenting and injustice. Dickens Sumba, the playwright and thespian, said the work was crafted to provoke reflection and affirm the possibility of accountability.

“We built Giza Gizani to strip impunity of its glamour, to show what silence costs in homes and institutions, and to light a path toward courage, dignity and justice.”

For Nairobi Regional Director of Education Reuben Kipturgor, the business and financial awareness approach is deliberate. It stems from handing authorship to learners and demanding utility from the art. “Can we make these activities learner based? Can we go back and allow our learners to generate their own script, and then we just help them to fine tune to the levels that we can reach? That is the only way we can develop their talents,” he said, before urging partners to back student creators in tangible ways.

Equity Bank’s has committed Sh25 million nationally to support the festival, with the bank’s themed genres highlighting how technology is making financial services part of daily life and expanding inclusion for individuals, schools and enterprises.

At the national finals, champions in the Equity classes will receive Ksh100,000 with silverware, runners-up will take Ksh50,000, and third place will get Ksh30,000. All winners will also be awarded wit trophies and certificates. The best trainer will receive Ksh30,000, second Ksh20,000 and third Ksh10,000.

The national finals will be held in April in Nyeri, followed by gala showcases hosted by Education CS Julius Ogamba and Equity Group CEO and MD Dr James Mwangi. The top students will then cap the season with a performance at State Lodge, Nyeri, in a gala to be attended by President William Ruto.

Kick off the month with good vibes and great gin courtesy of Gilbey’s this Friday, 3rd April at Burudani Address, Juja

Hosted by popular radio duo Mwalimu Rachel and DJ Xclusive, joined by DJ Chunky, the Gilbey’s Hangout experience promises the best of beats and moments perfect for you and your crew.

The Gilbey’s Real Moments campaign celebrates authentic connections and invites consumers to share their unfiltered moments with their “day ones”.

Date: Friday, 3rd April 2026

Venue: Burudani Address, Juja City Mall

Time: 5:00p.m till late

Hosts & Entertainment: Mwalimu Rachel, DJ Xclusive and DJ Chunky

Dress Code: A touch of Red

Entry: A 750ml bottle of Gilbey’s purchased upon entry

Please drink responsibly. Alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18.

 The nationwide tour of Kenya’s ultimate beer and culture festival, Tusker Oktobafest, culminated in a show-stopping final celebration this past Saturday, October 8th, as thousands of revellers converged at the Attela Beach Resort in Kisumu for an unforgettable night of music, beer and culture. The Lake Edition successfully wrapped up the festival’s regional stops following successful events in Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, and Nanyuki.

The Attela Beach Resort was transformed into a scenic celebration of beer and culture featuring an all-star entertainment lineup and live music performances by hitmakers Bensoul and Fathermoh and Harry Craze. The electrifying atmosphere was sustained by an impressive ensemble of top DJs: Gordo, Ves, Daffy, and Dimore, who kept the party at peak energy. The night was seamlessly hosted by crowd favorite MC Gogo and Kisumu’s own Hype Amollo, ensuring the grand finale was nothing short of legendary.

MC Gogo seized the stage early, igniting the crowd with a powerful opening performance that set the tone for the entire night. Harry Craze then commanded the stage, leading the crowd in an energetic dance frenzy before an exciting surprise, he brought Fathermoh out to perform their chart-topping collaborations. The unforgettable night concluded on a high note with a captivating and soulful final set by Bensoul.

The vibrant fusion of great beer, homegrown music, and an enthusiastic crowd reaffirmed Tusker Oktobafest’s position as East Africa’s premier beer and culture festival.

Commenting on the spectacular success of the final leg, Brigid Wambua, Senior Brand Manager for Tusker, said, “We set out to reach as many consumers as possible with the Oktobafest experience this year and we have successfully done that. Oktobafest exists to provide a platform for the celebration of Kenyan beer and culture every year. We have enjoyed the enthusiasm and support of our consumers and partners across the regions and Kisumu has delivered a truly exceptional finale to our nationwide festival.”

Launched in September, the sixth annual edition of the celebrated beer festival promised an expanded, nationwide celebration of Kenyan beer and culture, featuring authentic local experiences. The nationwide festival featured a series of regional events including:

• Nairobi Edition: October 4th at Carnivore Grounds
• Rift Edition: October 11th at Baniyas, Eldoret
• Coast Edition: November 01st at Big Tree, Mombasa
• Mountain Edition: November 01st at The Stinger Lounge-Kinyuki, Nanyuki

In addition to the main festivals, Tusker Oktobafest was supported by over 200 on-trade activations nationwide. Beer enthusiasts across the country enjoyed flash sales and exciting discounts on their favorite KBL beers, including lagers, stouts, ciders, and malts on ke.thebar.com and select e-commerce partner platforms.

Tusker extends its deepest gratitude to all consumers, talent, and partners who made the nationwide Tusker Oktobafest tour and its Kisumu Grand Finale an overwhelming success, reaffirming its dedication to celebrating Kenyan music, beer and culture across every region of the country.

After a successful debut at Carnivore Grounds on 4^th October for their Nairobi fans, Tusker Oktobafest, in keeping with their vision for a countrywide festival, made a stop in Eldoret at the Tamasha Lounge on Saturday, October 11^th for a celebration of beer and culture. At Tamasha Lounge, beer enthusiasts were treated to a rich beer experience complete with beer cocktails [shandies] and offers on the range of KBL beers, including lagers, stouts, ciders, and malts.

Beer enthusiasts in Eldoret were immersed in a rich beer experience, as Tusker Oktobafest transformed Tamasha Lounge into a vibrant beertopia, featuring beer cocktail stations and sampling booths manned by brand ambassadors in regal show-stopping African attire. The venue was also offered multiple picturesque photo-op areas, and consumers had the opportunity to participate in engaging brand activities to win exclusive Oktobafest merchandise.

The atmosphere was electric as MC Gudahman and his dynamic dance crew lit up Tamasha Lounge with a high-energy performance that had revellers on their feet from the start. Their explosive choreography set the perfect tone for Iyanii, who took the stage next with his chart-topping hits and crowd favorites, sending the energy even higher. DJ Daqchild kept the momentum going with a powerful set that paid homage to the Home of Champions, spinning a mix of local hits that had the crowd vibing deep into the night. The grand finale came with Mejja, whose highly anticipated performance brought the house down, cementing his status as the undeniable highlight of the night.

Speaking on the experience, Brigid Wambu, Senior Brand Manager for Tusker, stated, “We are delighted to share the Oktobafest experience with our consumers across the country. We’ve had an amazing reception in Eldoret, allowing us to truly explore how our Eldoret consumers do beer and culture. We are looking forward to creating even richer experiences in other parts of the country throughout October, which is beer month. We urge all our consumers to be on the look-out for the Oktobafest experience coming to their town next.”

Building on the phenomenal success in Nairobi and Eldoret, Tusker Oktobafest will continue its journey across the country, bringing the celebration of beer and culture to three more regions:

·       Coast Edition: October 18th at New Big Tree, Bamburi

·       Lake Edition: October 25th at Atella Beach Resort, Kisumu

·       Mountain Edition: November 1st at The Stinger Lounge-Kinyuki, Nanyuki

Access to the experiences will be by purchasing tickets at the venues for 1,000 KES, redeemable for either five bottles of Tusker Lager, Pilsner, or Balozi, or four bottles of Whitecap, Manyatta, Tusker Cider, Tusker Malt, Tusker Lite, or Guinness.

In addition to the main festivals, Tusker Oktobafest will be supported by over 200 on-trade activations nationwide. Beer enthusiasts can also look forward to flash sales and exciting discounts on their favourite KBL beers, including lagers, stouts, ciders, and malts.

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) successfully launched its nationwide Tusker Oktobafest celebration with an unforgettable 2000s ‘Kulture’ throwback.

Held on Saturday, October 4th at the Carnivore Grounds, the night was a resounding, nostalgic tribute to the golden era of Kenyan music, perfectly blending local beer and vibrant culture.

The event marked the first major stop in the deconstructed festival’s nationwide tour and delivered on its promise to bring the biggest hitmakers of the decade onto one epic stage.

The air was electric as thousands of attendees gathered to witness performances from the artists who defined a generation. The lineup was stacked with Kenyan music royalty. Attendees were treated to performances from Nameless and Wahu, the industry’s first couple, delivering their iconic hits; pioneering hip-hop group Kalamashaka; chart-topping ensemble P-Unit; the legendary trio Kleptomaniax; Genge maestro Jua Cali; classic hitmakers Big Pin, Mr. Lenny, and Prezzo; the influential duo Necessary Noize; and the soulful Sainapei.

The night’s soundtrack was expertly curated by Kenya’s most celebrated DJs, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of nostalgia. Crowd favourites DJ Pinye, DJ John Rabar, and DJ Nijo commanded the decks. Keeping the energy high and guiding the audience through the night were charismatic hosts Muthoni Bwika and the legendary Jimmi Gathu who broke the norm by MCing the event in a dynamic radio show format.

“Working with Tusker to bring this experience to life has been amazing. The 2000s defined a uniquely Kenyan sound, and seeing the massive turnout proved that the music and the culture are timeless,” said Fakii Liwali from the Kulture team.

The Senior Brand Manager Tusker, Brigid Wambua added that “The Kulture night wasn’t just a concert; it was a cultural reunion. Witnessing artists who shaped a generation share the stage and feeling the passion from the attendees confirmed that Kenyan heritage is alive and thriving. This is exactly the spirit we want to carry across the country as Tusker Oktobafest connects with local communities and celebrates what makes our beer and music truly Kenyan.”

The revelers also had an opportunity to experience the premium taste of Johnnie Walker, the event’s key sponsor, at its flavour lounge, where guests sampled an array of signature cocktails served for free. The brand’s participation underscored its continued investment in Kenya’s creative economy, supporting platforms that celebrate music, culture, and local talent.

Tusker Oktobafest is set to continue its regional journey throughout October and early November, bringing the celebration closer to beer lovers across Kenya. Don’t miss these upcoming festival stops:

• Rift Edition: October 11th at Tamasha, Eldoret
• Coast Edition: October 18th at New Big Tree, Bamburi
• Lake Edition: October 25th at Atella Beach Resort, Kisumu
• Mountain Edition: November 1st at The Stinger Lounge-Kinyuki, Nanyuki

In addition to the main festivals, Tusker Oktobafest will be supported by over 200 on-trade activations nationwide. Beer enthusiasts can also look forward to flash sales and exciting discounts on their favourite KBL beers, including lagers, stouts, ciders, and malts. These exclusive offers will be available on ke.thebar.com and through select e-commerce partners.

Captain Morgan, Kenya Breweries’ leading rum, is set to unleash the ultimate Captain’s Yard Takeover in Nakuru, bringing an electrifying mix of music, adventure, and bold fun. The epic event will go down on Saturday, October 4th 2025 at the iconic Rift Valley Sports Club, transforming Nakuru into the hottest entertainment spot of the season.

The final lineup is stacked with some of Kenya’s most dynamic entertainers. Fans can look forward to explosive live performances from Mejja, Iyanii, Maandy, and Tipsy Gee, with high-energy hosting from hype machines MC Gogo and Azeezah.

To keep the decks blazing, DJ Gibbz Tha Daqchild, DJ Malaika, and DJ Bash will be joined by Nakuru’s very own talents DJ Ruby, DJ Jomba, and Jussneera. Adding extra spice to the experience, TikTok sensation Collo Blue will bring his unmatched online energy to the live stage.

The takeover will also feature interactive brand experiences, bold surprises, and unforgettable Captain Morgan cocktails crafted to keep the vibe flowing all night. Consumers will also enjoy sizzling treats from the Captain’s Grill station, making this event more than just a party, it’s a full-on adventure in spice and flavour.

“We are excited to bring the Captain’s Yard experience to Nakuru, a city that knows how to celebrate life with energy and style. Captain Morgan is all about unleashing boldness, fun, and unforgettable moments, and this takeover will be no different. We are looking forward to creating lasting memories with our consumers as they enjoy great music, spiced cocktails, and unique experiences at Rift Valley Sports Club.” Said Victor Adada, Brand Manager, Captain Morgan.

To join the Captain’s Yard Takeover, consumers will need to purchase a 750ml bottle of Captain Morgan for 2 tickets or a 250ml bottle for 1 ticket. Gates open at 2pm, and fans are encouraged to come ready to unleash their spice, However you spice Spice On.

Kenya Cane officially unveiled its newest variant, Kenya Cane Lemon & Ginger, at a vibrant, high-energy launch event held last Saturday, 26th July 2025 at MKU Pavilion Grounds, Thika. The flavourful celebration attracted hundreds of fans of the iconic spirit and marked yet another bold step in the brand’s journey of innovation and cultural relevance.

The event headlined by Arbantone’s latest sensation, Toxic Lyrikali and award-winning MC Azeezah brought together music lovers, loyal Kenya Cane consumers, and culture shapers for an unforgettable day of flavour discovery, great music, and authentic Kenyan vibes all in honour of the latest addition to the Kenya Cane family, Kenya Cane Lemon & Ginger!

“The turnout, the energy, and the love for the new Lemon & Ginger variant were phenomenal,” said Victor Adada, Brand Manager, Kenya Cane. “We launched this product to celebrate our consumers’ evolving taste and to bring a fresh, local twist to the table and we’re proud of how strongly the market is embracing it.”

DJ sets by DJ Gibbz Tha Daq Child, kept the energy high between performances, while Toxic Lyrikali, Tipsy Gee, Ayrosh, and Stage Revolution Band, delivered show stopping live sets that celebrated Kenyan sound and lyrical artistry.

Beyond the performances, attendees had the opportunity to taste the new Kenya Cane Lemon & Ginger, that blended the tanginess of lemon with the warm, spicy undertones of ginger creating a smooth modern twist. The event provided an opportunity for fans of the True Kenyan Spirit to interact with bold brand installations and connect with each other.