Nairobi was and is, definitely, the ultimate destination for lovers of poetry and art in general.
What with the numerous literary events happening in and around the city almost on a daily basis.
The Kenya National Theatre is always booked for plays, book launches, poetry readings, literary seminars, art exhibitions etc.If you visit the ‘art notices board’ at Alliance Francaise and at the Goethe Institute, you will not miss finding a literary event that interests you.
In fact, you will be spoilt for choices.
About four years ago, this perception was changing and for a moment, poetry lovers thought Eldoret was taking over the poetry scene.
Poetry in Eldoret was becoming the next big thing. In less than three years, from 2011 to 2013; poets in Eldoret were giving the poets in Nairobi a run for their money.
Many poets now wanted to perform in Eldoret as a move to stamp their authorities.
Performing in Nairobi alone was not enough as was the case before.
Then, there were two groups of Poets who were making headlines in the Kenyan poetry scene; Nairobi poets under the name Kenyan Poets Lounge (KePoLo) and Eldoret poets under the name Eldoret poets association (EPA).
Kisumu and Nakuru poets were lurking from a safe distance.
From 2013 to 2016, tables have changed and now Kisumu is poised to be the next poetry hub in Kenya.
Eldoret poets have gone under the waters and now their once bold and fierce poetry events, One-Night Stand, The Coffee poetry and spoken word and The Genesis are just memories that are fading away.
Poetry in Nakuru, despite the county government of Nakuru renovating the theatre, has not made a huge impact compared to poetry in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Eldoret.
While Nairobi poets have maintained their first position in the national rank, as far as poetry is concerned, with events such as Fatumas Voice running weekly, Kisumu poets have emerged rather strongly and seemingly more energetic.
The fact that the organizers of the inaugural Nyanza Literary Festival (NALIF-2016) decided to hold the event in Kisumu and not in Nairobi points to a changing perception that Nairobi is an old broom.
I have attended poetry events in Nairobi and in Kisumu and believe you me, poetry events in Kisumu are more lively, both in terms of energy, content and even attendance compared to poetry events in the capital.
Why are the lakeside folks embracing poetry this much?
Is it because of the serene venues where these poetry events are held?
Like Poetry by the lake held at Hippo Point, right by the lake?
Maybe.
Poetic Hour, one of the biggest poetry events in Kisumu is now the talk of the town.
They are even now holding poetry battles where winners walk away with cash prizes!
So if you are a lover of poetry,you may want to try a different experience and travel to the lakeside city over the weekend and enjoy you some poetry coupled with soothing music from the Creative Band Kenya (CBK band), now the undisputed new kid on the block in the whole of Nyanza and Western region.