They call it the home for lovers of poetry, spoken word and acoustic music. It is open to poets, writers, spoken word artists, acoustic and acapella musicians. Whenever they have a programme, they always get a full house.
Upgrade Poetry was founded by three Nakuru friends who discovered a common love for poetry. The three, Wilson Uba, Gufy Dox and Simon aka Kangaroo have over time grown the platform to include spoken word and music and they have produced three Slam Africa Kings.
“It started small two years back. Just the two of us and a few friends but the dream that we carried has grown over time,” says Uba. He adds that what they wanted was a platform that would bring people who loved poetry and spoken word together.
They meet every last Sunday of the month at ACK Cathedral Church and eager poetry lovers always turn up in large numbers.
“I have grown my talent here. I can stand in front of any audience and confidently do my thing all because of Upgrade Poetry who have nurtured me,” says Mbunge Aliyeparara the 51st Slam Africa.
For Faith Chemutai, upgrade poetry is a session she always looks forward to. Faith is a literature student at Nakuru’s Kenyatta University and she fell in love with upgrade poetry from her first day there.
“I didn’t know what to expect but I really loved the presentations. I saw a lot of creativity and I was totally entertained by the poems and spoken word. There was also too much humour I laughed till I cried,” says Faith.
Faith is not alone and month by month, the audience to upgrade poetry continues to grow.