NAROK.
When was the last time you did or experienced something for the first time?
On Friday, the 5th of June 2026, Narok town hosted its first poetry slam, an event filled with artistic flair, conversations, art exhibitions, and networking.
The event, hosted at Art Caffe in Narok, was organized by Dragonfly Artisan Guild in partnership with The Narok Narrative.
An evening of poetry, art exhibitions, conversations, and networking
On Friday, a makeshift stage on the first floor of the Art Caffe welcomed different poets, including two young kids: the eleven-year-old Innastashyah Wanjiku Njogu and eight-year-old Imani Nemayian, whose poems were themed Kenya Rising.
Maison Ole Nkurrunah, the Content and Audience Growth Manager at The Narok Narrative, read five poems rooted in Narok, from his collections I Am Writing An Elegy By The River Siyapei and Ghettorati.
Poet Stacy, and the Narok Teachers Training College poets led by their lecturer Catherine Lore (who read a poem she wrote years ago when she was an undergrad student of arts), each took the stage and reminded us of the power of poetry in driving ideas that forge a path for systemic change in society. Lesalon honored Christopher Michael by reading his poem This Is God Work, before performing a spoken word around the themes of romantic love.
Peter Mansfield threw the audience into laughter when he read his poem on the challenges he has faced with the notorious ‘Kenyan Time’, lamenting how we, Kenyan folks, are poor timekeepers.
During the event, Art by Dylan showcased charcoal portraits; Imaray Atelier exhibited modern handbags with a touch of Maasai bead artwork; and Benjamin showcased his artwork made from banana leaves.
In her keynote speech, Madam Violet Sikawa expressed her joy at learning about the poetry slam. “I committed to attending, and here I am,” she said. “And when I look around, I see the older generation, the youth, and even kids. That makes me happy because it shows that there is the continuity of art from one generation to another.”
She talked about how artists exist in Narok, but they lack platforms to express themselves. “I am grateful to the organizers of this event. It’s important because it gives artists—and I mean writers, poets, sketch artists and all other types of artists—an avenue to express their art. Part of my mandate as the director of culture is to not only preserve the Maasai culture and other beautiful cultures in Narok, but to also work with and support artists.”
Loveniah, a digital creator and talented brand ambassador based in Narok, captured some moments from the event.
Daniel Kamau, a radio show host, poet and filmmaker; and Tessy, Lemah, and Natalie, members of the youthful and vibrant group ‘Mbogi Ya Christ’ from the Narok Baptist Church, were also in attendance.
Everything was Intimately Interwoven
To make this event successful, many other individuals and organizations had played an unseen but potent role in making everything happen. The universe had long been quietly setting the stage. Everything led to that Friday evening at the Art Caffe:
Peter Mansfield, a children’s book author with titles like Uncle Peter and the Fantastic, Mystical, Magical Dragonflies, is a New Yorker who fell in love with Narok after first visiting the county in 2023. He is the brains behind Dragonfly Artisan Guild. Well aware of the power that art wielded in the 80s in spurring the growth of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Peter carried a desire in his heart to see the same happening in Narok. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was a rough town in the early 80s Around 1985, artists started buying buildings and fixing the neighborhood up. That was followed by sprouting coffee shops and then restaurants. Property value increased in the community. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, today, has a property value equivalent to Manhattan (NYC).
The question Peter carries with him, can artists do the same for Narok? He believes so!
Lesalon Kasaine, a creative writer, 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow and founder of The Narok Narrative, had long felt a tug in his heart to run storytelling projects in his hometown, Narok. While attending the Austin African-American Book Festival in Texas in 2025, he met the poet Christopher Michael, who inspired him to also think of poetry, alongside the digital storytelling platform The Narok Narrative, as a tool for social change and expression of ideas. How can I bring poetry and storytelling to Narok, and who do I work with? This question plagued him.
Maison Ole Nkurrunah, a poet and award-winning playwright, had for years narrated and preserved the rich culture and beautiful landscapes of Narok through his storytelling. He was exploring ideas to take his ‘artvocacy’ to the next level.
At the Narok Teachers Training College, Catherine Lore, a drama and arts lecturer, worked on poems and sharpened performance skills with her students, eager to grab opportunities to use poetry as a tool for social change.
And at the Department of Cultural Affairs, Narok County Government, Violet Sikawa, the Director of Culture, was looking for artists in Narok to support and work with, her heart beating for a Narok where artists lead the charge towards systemic community growth.
When Lesalon and Peter sat down to plan the poetry slam, what they didn’t know was that Narok was ready for it. Like a lightning bolt waiting for the right time to strike, individuals and organizations were waiting for the stage to be set.
May everything continue to be intimately interwoven to ensure that this event is a first of many in Narok.
