Record Turnout: SKY Festival Empowers Over 7,000 Teenage Girls in Nairobi
Over 7,000 teenage girls flocked to Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium for 'SKY FEST 2025' on March 7. Themed 'True to Me,' this major empowerment event, Kenya's largest for teen girls, featured popular artists like Brandy Maina and Lil Maina, alongside sports and self-defense training, with plans for a Kisumu edition.
An extraordinary wave of youthful dynamism and female empowerment swept through Nairobi on March 7, 2025, as an unprecedented gathering of more than 7,000 teenage girls from the capital city and its surrounding regions converged with immense enthusiasm at the Moi International Stadium Kasarani for the much-celebrated 'SKY FEST 2025'. This impactful festival, thoughtfully themed 'True to Me' and strategically scheduled just a day before International Women's Day, further solidified its esteemed reputation as Kenya's largest and most influential empowerment event meticulously designed and tailored for the nation's teenage girls.
The festival grounds buzzed with an electric atmosphere, amplified by stellar performances from artists who resonate deeply with the teenage demographic, including the popular Brandy Maina, hitmaker Lil Maina, and the engaging Amina Rabar. The contemporary appeal was further heightened by appearances from beloved TikTok creators Klaus and Nasieku, who connected with the young audience through shared digital culture and relatable content. Beyond the star-studded entertainment lineup, SKY FEST 2025 offered a diverse and enriching array of activities, all carefully curated to empower and inspire young women. These included interactive sports sessions promoting teamwork and physical well-being, alongside practical and confidence-building self-defense training workshops, all fundamentally aimed at equipping the attendees with valuable skills, knowledge, and the self-assurance to make informed, positive, and healthy life choices.
Svetlana Polikarpova, the dedicated Director of the SKY Girls Kenya Initiative, which masterminds this annual festival, expressed her profound delight at the event's overwhelming success and impact: "SKY FEST 2025 surpassed all our ambitious expectations from previous events. We saw girls arrive incredibly excited to immerse themselves in a safe, positive, and affirming environment, eager to connect meaningfully with each other, to learn invaluable life skills, and to grow confidently into their potential." The 2025 edition marked a significant increase in attendance, up from 6,200 participants in the 2023 event. Demonstrating its commitment to broader reach, the initiative announced ambitious plans for expansion, with a similar empowering festival scheduled for Kisumu on April 12. The SKY Girls Kenya Initiative ensures sustained, year-round support for teenage girls nationwide through vital and strategic partnerships with a host of esteemed organizations, including the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, LVCT, the DREAMS program, and the Africa Cancer Foundation, thereby fostering a comprehensive and holistic approach to youth development and female empowerment across Kenya.