Concert Director Godfrey Emoja, CEC Sports, Culture Beatrice Odongo, and Monicah Odongo, co-organizer of the Poetic Hour Battle, addressing the media in Kisumu. /FAITH MATETEPreparations are underway for the much-anticipated 2025 East Africa Poetic Hour Battle, scheduled to take place in Kisumu on August 30, 2025.
This year’s edition carries the powerful theme, “From Plate to Policy Table: Youth Taking Their Place in Governance,” highlighting the growing role of young people in shaping political discourse through creative expression.
A team of 20 talented young poets from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan was unveiled this week, with women accounting for nearly half of the group.
The selection reflects a conscious effort to promote gender inclusivity while amplifying youth voices across the region.
Speaking during the official launch, Concert Director Godfrey Emoja emphasized the transformative vision behind the event.
“This isn’t just a performance—it’s a platform for demanding justice, driving empowerment, and breaking barriers in governance,” he said.
The 2025 battle will culminate in a collaborative publication that critiques governance systems across East Africa, using poetry as a vehicle for advocacy and civic engagement.
The event will be hosted at the Baraza Media Lab in Kisumu, showcasing the city’s growing reputation as a regional hub for arts and culture.
Emoja praised the choice of venue, calling it “a bridge for East Africa’s creative minds.”
The initiative has received support from Kisumu County leadership, with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, and Creative Arts, Beatrice Odongo, backing the event.
Odongo, a vocal supporter of youth empowerment, noted that artists aren’t just society’s mirrors—they are the architects of tomorrow.
She affirmed her department’s commitment to supporting the event, viewing it as an investment in ideas that can drive real change.
Monicah Odongo, co-organiser of the Poetic Hour Battle, reiterated the event’s mission to merge creativity with purpose.
“Poetry holds leaders accountable and inspires transformation. We’ve always chosen themes that speak to systemic challenges,” she said.
Monicah added that the competition continues to serve as a springboard for emerging talents, helping them gain visibility while contributing to important policy conversations.
With submissions already pouring in from across the region, excitement is building for what promises to be a historic convergence of art, activism, and youth leadership in Kisumu.
