A new talent discovery show, ‘Nairobi Has Talent’, has begun in a bid to empower emerging creatives, with auditions already conducted and finals scheduled for November.
Hosted on the Stage254 platform, the initiative aims to give young people a stage to showcase their abilities in music, dance, comedy, spoken word, fashion, and other creative disciplines.
Speaking to KBC Digital at the auditions at the Kenya National Theatre, one of the contestants, going by the name Gabu Mwemba, said he was excited to participate because of the marketing opportunities.
“I am looking forward to sponsors who can sponsor our videos but also to learn more about music marketing, production and more,” he said. “I am hoping to network, learn from other artists and push my brand.”
According to the show’s organisers, the project seeks to go beyond performance by connecting emerging creatives with opportunities for mentorship, skills development, industry exposure and professional growth.
“We created ‘Nairobi Has Talent’ on very simple but powerful beliefs. It was a platform meant to discover and to give the youth an opportunity to showcase their talent,” Steve Ogendo, the show’s founder, said. “I was inspired by a lot of talent reality shows, but I was also motivated by my passion for discovering talent. I have also interacted with a lot of talent in the street, and no one is willing to give them a platform.”
For this reason, the show seeks to identify and nurture talent while allowing participants to build confidence, receive feedback and reach audiences beyond their immediate communities.
Making an observation about the comments he had received during his audition, Gabu added that the judges had advised him to build and connect with his fans.
“I have been advised to build my fanbase so I can market my music better. By building this rapport, the judges said I would be able to sell my music.”
Stage254 further describes the initiative as a space where young performers can gain recognition and explore opportunities to develop their creative interests into sustainable careers.
“These talented people don’t have the right platform and the right exposure to showcase what they have, ” Mr Ogendo added. “And that is why we hope to give those who will be able to access the right tools for succes.”
Another contestant, Margaret Njeri, who had travelled to the Kenya National Theatre from Kayole, told KBC Digital that she was taking a leaf from Ariana Grande’s character, Cat Valentine, on ‘Victorious’ by attending every audition she qualified for so she could build her name.
The show comes amid efforts by President Ruto’s government to create more pathways for young creatives to access and earn from the entertainment industry without the need for established networks or connections.
“It was so great to see how passionate these young creatives were about their craft,” Show’s host Jill Wamera, who also spoke to KBC, said. “They’re coming from less privileged backgrounds, and to see them showing up and having no fear is amazing.’
With the auditions concluded, attention now turns to the November finals, where selected participants are expected to showcase their talents.
You can follow the contestants through the show’s social media platforms.
