By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Fisherman Experience in Kisumu brought together three days of creativity, learning and entertainment, with engagements for young creatives on Wednesday and Thursday leading into the main concert at Mamboleo Stadium on Saturday.
On Wednesday, artists and industry practitioners took part in masterclasses focused on the business of creativity. The sessions covered financial literacy, managing irregular income, tax, investment, brand building, digital music and monetising creative work.
Creatives also received guidance on accessing credit and funding to grow their businesses and projects. The focus shifted to civic engagement and rights advocacy on Thursday, with discussions on constitutional rights, freedom of expression, copyright, fair contracts and youth participation in governance.
Voter education sessions further encouraged young people to connect their creative influence with civic participation.
“We believe in the power of young people and the creative industry to bring Kenyans together. Our support goes beyond performance because we recognise the talent, skills and people behind every creative experience. Through the platforms and opportunities we create, we support young creatives to develop their skills, express themselves and turn their passion into meaningful opportunities, said Zizwe Awuor, Director, Brand, Marketing and Insights Safaricom PLC.
The two days showcased the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within Kenya’s creative ecosystem, bringing together young people across different creative disciplines and equipping them with practical skills to build sustainable careers.
The creative engagements set the tone for Saturday’s concert, where the focus shifted from learning and capacity building to music, culture and celebration. Held at Mamboleo Stadium, the concert brought together artists, fans and the wider Kisumu community in a showcase of Kenyan talent and youth culture.
The event also highlighted the role of M-PESA in supporting businesses around live entertainment.Through Pochi la Biashara and M-PESA tills, traders and other businesses at the venue could conveniently receive payments for goods and services, allowing fans to transact as they enjoyed the performances.
At the heart of the concert was a celebration of Kenyan music and the artists shaping the country’s cultural landscape. The performances gave artists an opportunity to connect directly with their audiences while giving fans a space to enjoy local talent and celebrate their culture.
“The experience was exciting because it brought people together and gave us a chance to enjoy Kenyan music and our own artists. It was good to see so much energy from the young people and to be part of an event that celebrated our culture,” said Collins Ochieng.
The Fishermen Experience formed part of Safaricom’s broader commitment to supporting Kenya’s creative economy. The same commitment is reflected in the Safaricom Hook Music Hip Hop regional auditions, which have traversed Kakamega, Embu and Kisumu, giving rising rappers, singers, dancers, actors, MCs and songwriters opportunities to sharpen their craft and gain exposure.
From creative business skills and civic awareness to performance and audience engagement, the Kisumu experience highlighted how young Kenyans are using creativity to build careers, shape culture and contribute to their communities.
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