Kenyatta University is set to host ArtFest 2025 at its main campus in Nairobi from August 27 to 29, bringing together artists, scholars, and students from across the globe to explore the transformative power of art in society.
The opening ceremony, open to the public, will take place on August 27 at a cost of KSh. 1,000 per person, payable via M-Pesa paybill 625625, A/C 01021010781300. Attendees are required to send confirmation emails to artfest@ku.ac.ke.
Organisers describe ArtFest 2025 as an international, interdisciplinary, and trans-disciplinary conference that celebrates art, identity, and cultural preservation. The event will also pay tribute to the late Prof. Francis Imbuga and the late Prof. Oluoch Obura, both celebrated literary figures and champions of theatre and performance.
Professor Paul K. Wainaina, Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University and a vocal advocate for the arts in education, will serve as the chief guest. Under the theme, “Art, Identity and Transformation in a Globalised World,” the conference will examine five key sub-themes: AI and emerging technologies in language acquisition and application, contemporary trends in literary production and consumption, the Digi-Creative Economy, inclusive Edu-Arts, and climate culture.
The event promises a diverse lineup of keynote speeches, paper presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, delivered in both in-person and virtual formats to ensure global accessibility. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with leading thinkers and practitioners in the creative field.
Notable personalities expected to attend include Churchill, the Kenyan comedian and media personality, who has inspired many young artists and theatre enthusiasts to pursue careers in the arts and the creative economy.
Registration fees for the full three-day event are KES 10,000 for East Africans, USD 150 for international participants, and KES 5,000 for Kenyan students.
ArtFest 2025 presents a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate artistic expression, explore cultural identity, and discuss how the arts can drive societal transformation in an increasingly globalised world. Kenyatta University continues to reinforce its commitment to nurturing creativity, scholarship, and cultural dialogue through initiatives like this, highlighting the arts as a vital component of a holistic education.
