The City Manager of Nakuru, Mr. Gitau Thabanja, recently met with organisers of the upcoming Nakuru Rising Stars talent search initiative, exploring a strategic partnership with the County Government to advance youth empowerment and creative industry growth across Nakuru County.
The initiative, led by renowned media personality Mr. Willy Tuva, aims to identify and nurture emerging talent in music, spoken word, dance, and other forms of creative expression. The organisers highlighted Nakuru’s vibrant creative sector, high youth participation, and supportive cultural ecosystem as key factors that positioned the county as an ideal hub for this programme.
Scheduled to roll out before April 2026, Nakuru Rising Stars seeks to provide young people with a platform to showcase their abilities while building skills that enhance sustainable livelihoods within the creative economy. Through structured mentorship, workshops, and performance opportunities, participants will gain exposure to industry standards, audience engagement, and professional development pathways.
City Manager Thabanja acknowledged the organisers’ interest in partnering with the County Government, noting that Nakuru’s leadership, under Governor Susan Kihika, has consistently supported initiatives that foster youth empowerment, talent development, and economic opportunities in the creative sector. He emphasised the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for young people to innovate, perform, and thrive within arts and culture.
The Nakuru Rising Stars initiative aligns with Governor Kihika’s manifesto, which prioritises youth empowerment, skills development, and promotion of the creative economy as a pathway to sustainable employment and social development. By investing in local talent, the county seeks to build a robust creative sector that contributes to economic growth, tourism, and cultural promotion.
Organisers expressed confidence that, with county support, the programme would reach more young people across Nakuru, including those from sub-counties with limited access to creative opportunities. The partnership aims to integrate mentorship, capacity building, and public engagement, ensuring that participants gain both technical skills and practical experience.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen community participation in the arts, encourage collaboration among youth creatives, and highlight Nakuru as a centre for innovation in the creative economy. By providing structured platforms for performance and skill development, Nakuru Rising Stars contributes to the broader goal of economic empowerment for young people, enabling them to turn talent into sustainable careers.
Through this collaboration, Nakuru County demonstrates its commitment to supporting youth-focused programmes, fostering strategic partnerships with private sector stakeholders, and enhancing the county’s profile as a leader in creative industry development. The initiative is poised to deliver long-term benefits, including job creation, skill development, and the promotion of Nakuru as a hub for emerging creative talent.
The County Government’s engagement with Nakuru Rising Stars reflects a deliberate strategy to invest in youth potential, strengthen cultural infrastructure, and create sustainable pathways for young people to participate in and benefit from the growing creative economy.