The Kibera Performing arts (K.P.A) organised the ‘Gundua Talent Festival’ on 21st July 2007 to mark its launch. The day happened to be 9 months after its conception. It was conceived with a mission of; nurturing Innovation of Kibera cultural and artistic expression and to make Kibera art accessible and valued worldwide.

KPAG being in the front line in promoting and encouraging local artists, couldn’t miss an event that offered the opportunity for artists who wished to showcase their talents. Consequently, the day saw us at the Kibera Laini-Saba grounds with a jazz choreography, a modern dance and the KPAG orchestra.

A large crowd was in attendant with the most turn up being the youth and the small children. Nevertheless, it was impossible to miss out some elderly people in the crowd. The amount of talent lying unattended to in Kibera I never knew, until I saw it with my own eyes.
It was a time not for words, but action as the youth showed off for the oxygen they breath. The children too were not left behind as they amazed the crowd in the under 18 dancing competitions.
Kibera is Kenya’s biggest slum but that’s the same place we stumbled upon untapped wealth of talent that needs awakening. There is so much potential in terms of performing arts in ghetto than meets the eye. The whole event was a benefit to Kenyan upcoming artists in terms of inspiration, competition and exposure.

Kibera Performing Arts launch’ speech on the 21st July 2007 at the Kibera Laini-Saba grounds.

We face an enemy that is deep-rooted, an enemy entrenched and determined not to yield – prison of the mind. This prison has made our lives to be a routine: ech day like the one before; each week like the one before, so that the months and years blend into each other, and reached our own kind of cul-de-sac such that we idle around ghetto holding optimistically the ideologies of “Yote yawezekana na bi/bw. Tumbo” rendering us dependent on individuals at the expense of our energetic, vibrant and creative minds.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what marked the beginning of our journey to liberation.

On realization that “there is no freedom for one man, without the freedom of all”, and that “it is a pity to die with water while others are dying of thirst”. Some young like-minded artists under the leading of Joseph Omondi, Moses Mungai, Judy Nyaboke and Ken Ofula conceived the Kibera Performing Arts in November 2006 here in Kibera with a mission of: nurturing innovation of Kibera Cultural and Artistic Expression and to make Kibera art accessible worldwide”.
In addition to creating employment and awareness through theatre, Kibera Performing Arts aspires to open a Art Centre in the ghetto. This will open more opportunities for other artists who wish to showcase their paintings and visual arts. We especially intend to mentor a responsible youth who would help in alleviating societal vices such as drug abuse, immortality and crime in Kibera by ensuring they are involved in doing what they love: Arts! Currently, we have a membership of seventeen and our chairman being Moses Mungai.

Ladies and gentlemen, today marks the birth of a long-awaited dream in our group – the launch of K.P.A. The main objective this festival dubbed “Gunda talent festival” is to create exposure to a wider stage to explore their talent and create awareness of the importance of Art in Kibera. To all our invited guests, groups and honourable fellow residents of Kibera –karibuni sana. Jisikie K.P.A
In conclusion, our march to freedom is long and difficult , but both within and beyond our borders, the prospects of victory grow brighter. The first condition for victory is unity, knowing that unity in action is the key to liberation. Therefore, we request all like-minded organisations to partner with us in pursuing this life changing vision and more so, welcome other youths to join us for a better kibera.
One Spanish writer, Miguel Cervantes, (1547-1616) said, “Never stand begging that which you have the power to earn” and as K.P.A we’ve pledged our allegiance:
NEVER TO STAND BEGGGING THAT WHICH WE HAVE THE POWER TO EARN THROUGH OUR TALENTS”

GOD BLESS K.P.A