Kenya: Electrifying Performances Light Up Voices of the Lake Festival As Fans Turn Out for a Weekend of Music and Culture

What the report says

The inaugural Voices of the Lake Festival is drawing large crowds to Dunga Hill Camp in Kisumu, Kenya, where a four-day program is putting music, culture and the creative economy at the center of the weekend. The event opened on Thursday and runs through Sunday, bringing together established and emerging artists, creatives and music fans from the Lake Region and beyond.

According to Capital FM’s report carried by AllAfrica, the festival features live performances each day alongside a broader effort to promote young talent and support creative livelihoods. Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o presided over the opening ceremony, and the lineup has included performers such as Michael Ongaro, Muthaiga, Eddie Grey, Otos Jalambwe, Atisanna, Kake Wakake, Kamwana, Keynotey Odera Jr., Apesi, Mufana & Lokoband, Shamir, Checkmate Mido, Udulee and The Mushroom. The closing day is set to feature Sango Soul Band, Siba Sarabi, Soul Band and Les Wanyika.

The festival is supported by Safaricom Hook, which says the partnership is meant to connect creativity with mentorship, technology and entrepreneurship. Festival organiser Isaac Gem said the aim is to showcase Kisumu and give young people a platform to share their experiences through music, while Safaricom’s Fawzia Ali framed the effort as an investment in young creatives and the wider Lake Victoria Basin.

Beyond the performances, the initiative is designed to help artists move from talent discovery toward income generation. The report says the broader programme seeks to identify 2,000 creatives across 10 disciplines, enroll 100 in an accelerator and support 50 fellows, with longer-term goals to expand opportunities across East Africa.