Safaricom Event Turns Lakeside City Into a Creative Hub as Young Talent Takes Centre Stage
Macharia David
Taifanews staff writer
Kisumu was transformed into a vibrant hub of music, creativity and youth empowerment as Safaricom’s Fishermen Experience brought the lakeside city to life with three days of learning, entertainment and celebration.
The event, which culminated in a packed concert at Mamboleo Stadium on Saturday, gave young creatives more than a stage to perform on—it offered them practical skills, business knowledge and opportunities to turn their talents into sustainable careers.
Before the main concert, artists and industry players took part in masterclasses covering financial literacy, managing irregular income, taxation, investment, branding, digital music and monetising creative work.
The creatives were also guided on accessing credit and funding to grow their businesses and creative projects.
The programme then shifted to civic engagement, with Thursday’s sessions focusing on constitutional rights, freedom of expression, copyright, fair contracts and youth participation in governance. Voter education was also included, encouraging young people to connect their creative influence with civic responsibility.
Safaricom Director, Brand, Marketing and Insights, Zizwe Awuor, said the company sees young people and the creative industry as a powerful force for bringing Kenyans together.
«“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,” Awuor said.»
She said Safaricom was committed to creating platforms that enable young creatives to develop their skills, express themselves and turn their passion into meaningful opportunities.
The excitement peaked on Saturday when Mamboleo Stadium became the centre of attention as artists and fans gathered for a celebration of Kenyan music and culture.
The event also gave local traders an opportunity to benefit from the influx of fans, with businesses using Pochi la Biashara and M-PESA tills to receive payments for goods and services.
For Collins Ochieng, the experience captured the energy of Kisumu’s young people and the power of Kenyan music.
«“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,” he said.»
Iddia Achieng, the talented Afro-fusion musician, delivers an electrifying performance at the first edition of 'The Fisherman's Experience.'
The unforgettable event, held at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, showcased the very best of Kenya's diverse musical landscape.
The Fishermen Experience is part of Safaricom’s wider investment in Kenya’s creative economy, alongside the Safaricom Hook Music Hip Hop regional auditions held in Kakamega, Embu and Kisumu.
The initiative has provided a platform for emerging rappers, singers, dancers, actors, MCs and songwriters to sharpen their skills, gain exposure and connect with audiences.
For three days, Kisumu was not just the lakeside city—it became a meeting point for talent, business, culture and youthful energy, showcasing the growing power of Kenya’s creative economy.
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