Background
THE CULTURE WEEK FESTIVAL SINCE 1992
Kenyatta University Culture Week was formally established in July 1992 after the realization that the vast student population was in dire need of an avenue to discover, develop and express their rich and varied talent in the performing arts and in the sporting arena.
The humble beginnings of KU Culture week can be traced back to the 1970`s under the leadership of the Principal of Kenyatta University College, Ishmael Omondi. In 1977, the then Principal wanted a centre where a cultural display by a few lecturers and students under the leadership of Mumbi wa Maina(a Theatre Artist) could be taught academically. He then set up a committee from the faculty of arts where the idea of a festival came in. This continued through to 1986.
It was discovered that there exists a huge potential amongst the University Community and that if a way would be found to identify, train, and exploit this potential, the University would enhance one of its objectives of stimulating great cultural wealth and intellectual life of the society.
The festival takes the audience through a journey of Kenya’s cultures and traditions through a variety of expressions of the performing arts, thereby enhancing knowledge in cultural diversity and promoting cultural tolerance for peaceful coexistence and development.
This cultural “melting pot” has produced some of Africa’s most prolific and exciting young artists and athletes.
The Cultural festival increases awareness of the need to include cultural dimensions in development initiatives highlighting cultural opportunities for innovative and participatory programming.
The festival links Kenyatta University students and staff to the corporate world in a project that will raise the economic status of the country.
The festival further provides an opportunity for Kenyatta University students and staff to exploit their talents through sports and the Performing Arts.
From its establishment, the Kenyatta University Culture Week has managed to attract an enormous following not only in Kenya but within Africa and throughout the World. It attracts close to 3,000 performers in over 20 different disciplines who have kept full house audiences glued to their performances as a result of the ability to educate and entertain at the same time.
The festival has inspired other higher education learning institutions to emulate and create a similar festival of their own.
Since 1992, the annual festival has only been postponed twice. In 2017 and 2020 following the repeat of the General Election and the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.