Kenyatta University opened its doors to scholars, artists, students, and international dignitaries on August 27, for the inaugural ArtFest, a three-day celebration of creativity and cultural exchange.
Held at the main campus in Nairobi, the festival was organised to honour two of Kenya’s most influential literary figures, the late Prof. Francis Imbuga and the late Prof. Oluoch Obura, whose plays and writings continue to shape the nation’s cultural and intellectual life.
The much-anticipated opening ceremony was presided over by the ArtFest Organising Committee Chairperson, Dr Esther Mbithi.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr Mbithi acknowledged the presence of the families of the two late scholars, noting that they had chosen to remain anonymous but were deeply moved by the tribute.
“Today we celebrate not only their legacy in the arts but also the lasting impact they left in our classrooms, theatres, and on the Kenyan literary landscape,” she said.
The event attracted an impressive line-up of guests, both local and international. Among the dignitaries was Dr Zhang Dong, Chairman of the Shandong Chamber of Commerce, China, who has lived and worked in Kenya for over 25 years. In his address, Dr Zhang praised the role of cultural festivals in fostering global partnerships and pledged his commitment to supporting more Chinese companies seeking to invest in Kenya.
Additionally, a representative from the Embassy of South Korea also attended the opening, underscoring the festival’s international spirit and the growing ties between Kenya and global partners in academia, culture, and trade.
From the host institution, senior leadership turned out in full support of the initiative. Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), lauded the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences for spearheading the event. In her remarks, she called on other faculties to emulate the example, stressing the central role of the arts in higher education.
“This conference aligns with the academic goals of Kenyatta University. It also positions us as an institution that champions research as well as the arts, a vital activity and powerful statement about our academic excellence,” Prof. Wanjohi said.
To conclude the speeches, Prof. Paul Owuor Okemo, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance), representing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul K. Wainaina, warmly welcomed participants from across Kenya and beyond, describing the inaugural edition as a landmark occasion that would place Kenyatta University firmly on the global cultural map before officially declaring the festival open.
Performance Lecture
The opening ceremony also blended performance with academic reflection. Renowned Kenyan scholar and performance artist Dr Mshai Mwagola delivered a captivating performance lecture, drawing on the rich traditions of oral literature while engaging the audience on contemporary questions of identity, transformation, and belonging. The presentation set the tone for the festival, which sought to marry learning with creativity.
Adding star power to the day was acclaimed Kenyan author and Kenyatta University alumna, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor.
Best known for her award-winning novels Dust and The Dragonfly Sea, Owuor’s presence underscored the institution’s role in nurturing literary talent. The author was pleasantly surprised when she realised her book “The Dragonfly Sea” was one of the reference points for Dr Mwagola’s performance lecture.
The event, which brought together scholars from across E.Africa, will continue with conferences dedicated to key sub-themes such as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in language acquisition, contemporary trends in literary production and consumption, the digi-creative economy, inclusive edu-arts, and climate culture over the next two days.
