Kisumu to Host Powerful Poetry Duel Linking Food Justice and Policy Change — August 30, 2025

Kisumu, Kenya – In a bold fusion of art and advocacy, Kisumu will come alive on August 30, 2025, as twenty of Kenya’s most dynamic spoken word poets take the stage for a powerful showcase themed “From Plate to Policy Table.”The event, set to unfold at the lakeside city’s cultural hub, brings together voices from across the country to tackle critical issues around food justice, climate, and governance through the lens of performance poetry.

Organized by local advocacy groups in partnership with civil society organizations, the event aims to elevate public discourse around food systems, sustainability, and policy accountability — using poetry as both a mirror and a megaphone.

“This is not just entertainment,” said one of the organizers. “It’s about challenging the structures that leave millions food-insecure while giving communities a creative space to imagine and demand better.”

The theme — “From Plate to Policy Table” — underscores the growing call to bridge the gap between those affected by food insecurity and those who shape food policy. As Kenya grapples with rising living costs, climate-driven crop failures, and ongoing debates on agricultural reforms, this poetic duel becomes a timely and urgent cultural intervention.

With judges drawn from the literary and advocacy sectors, poets will be evaluated not just on their wordplay but on how powerfully they confront systemic injustice and spark dialogue. Winners will receive both monetary awards and opportunities to present their work at upcoming policy roundtables, ensuring the poems don’t just end on stage — but echo in the halls of influence.

The event is free and open to the public.

Why it matters:

Kenya ranks among countries with high food insecurity, with over 4 million people in need of food assistance in 2024 alone, according to the National Drought Management Authority. Events like this aim to mobilize civic voices and reshape narratives around food, dignity, and justice — from grassroots to government corridors.

📍Event: Poetry Duel – From Plate to Policy Table

📅 Date: August 30, 2025

📍Location: Kisumu City

🎤 Participants: 20 Poets | 💬 Entry: Free

This is poetry with purpose — where every stanza is a step toward systemic change.