Street Poetry
Street Poetry.
Festival Xtra
COMM. ISSUE / 100 C.NAIROBI / 2027
CASE FILE: PSA-2027-FESTSTATUS: AUTHORIZEDOPEN CALL
24–31 January 2027 / Nairobi, Kenya
A continent
in verse.
Poetry Slam Africa Festival returns for an eight-day cultural programme of competitive spoken word, learning, exchange, music, and creative enterprise.
Filed under: a living archive of African voice.
NAIROBI
POSTAL
DISPATCH
2027
POSTAL
DISPATCH
2027
Say it like you mean it.
Poetry Slam Africa Festival 2027 Nairobi 24—31 January Spoken word / live music / learning / exchange Poetry Slam Africa Festival 2027 Nairobi 24—31 January Spoken word / live music / learning / exchange
The festival
Make room
for the voice.
Established in 2008, Poetry Slam Africa is a platform for performance poets to develop their craft, build confidence, and engage audiences through competitive spoken word. In 2027, the festival expands into an eight-day cultural programme bringing together poets, educators, producers, audiences, academics, and creative industry stakeholders.
This is a festival for learning, networking, showcase, competition, civic dialogue, youth participation, accessibility, and Pan-African exchange.
08days in Nairobi
20+African hub finalists
01continent in verse
The room is part of the work. Every chair, cheer, and held breath enters the archive.
The programme
One week.
Many rooms.
Rhythm is part of the archive. The stage holds voice, string, breath, and the space between them.
Open Mic Night
Open Mic Night.
Festival XtraIndustry Forum 1 + 2 more
Industry Forum 1. Writing for Stage: Rhythm, Cadence & Narrative.
Industry ProgramIndustry Forum 2: Sustaining the Voice + 2 more
Industry Forum 2: Sustaining the Voice. Masterclass: Theatrical Staging for Poets.
Industry ProgramIndustry Forum 3: Technopoetics & Digital Catalogs + 2 more
Industry Forum 3: Technopoetics & Digital Catalogs. Campus-to-Career Forum.
Industry ProgramIndustry Forum 4: Meet the Festivals + 2 more
Industry Forum 4: Meet the Festivals. Masterclass:.
Industry ProgramContinental Federation Roundtable + 2 more
Continental Federation Roundtable. Annual Schools Slam Finals (Rising Voices).
Industry ProgramClosing Town Hall + 2 more
Closing Town Hall. Technopoetics Showcase & Lab Wrap-Up.
Industry ProgramThe daily dispatch
Know the flow.
Eight days. One city. A programme that moves from street corner to final stage.
Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi
Street Poetry
Raw poetry in the street, acoustic spoken word cyphers, and grassroots community performance (Single Festival Xtra activity).
Festival XtraTBD
Open Mic Night
Community open mic session, acoustic gathering, and festival registration warm-up (Single Festival Xtra activity).
Festival XtraAlliance Française
Industry Forum 1
Cross-border touring, regional mobility corridors, visa protocols, and funding access.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Writing for Stage: Rhythm, Cadence & Narrative
Theatrical script adaptation, rhythmic delivery, and performance craftsmanship.
Development ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Nuetry
Experimental new-wave poetry, digital visuals, electronic soundscapes, and hybrid forms.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Industry Forum 2: Sustaining the Voice
Fair remuneration, royalties, copyright management, split sheets, and digital licensing.
Industry ProgramKenya National Theatre
Masterclass: Theatrical Staging for Poets
Spatial awareness, stage blocking, lighting integration, and technical production.
Development ProgramKenya National Theatre (Main Auditorium)
Main Event: Poetry Slam Africa Grand Slam
Flagship National Slam Finals featuring Kenya's top qualifying competitive poets.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Industry Forum 3: Technopoetics & Digital Catalogs
Creative audio capture, screen poetry, podcasting, and digital archive distribution.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Campus-to-Career Forum
Vocational transition for emerging artists, production apprenticeships, and cultural enterprise models.
Outreach ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Theatrical Showcase
Curated narrative suites, spoken word theater productions, and multi-poet ensembles.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Industry Forum 4: Meet the Festivals
Curators and festival directors roundtable on international co-commissions and residencies.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Masterclass:
Strategic masterclass on competitive slam craft led by former continental laureates.
Development ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Alkebulan Slam Quarter Finals
Continental Championship: Pool preliminary knockout rounds across national champions.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Continental Federation Roundtable
Policy and administrative alignment across African national slam organizations.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Annual Schools Slam Finals (Rising Voices)
Inter-school poetry league finals spotlighting secondary school talent and youth voices.
Outreach ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Alkebulan Slam Semi-Finals
Continental Championship: Top 16 semi-final knockout rounds.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Closing Town Hall
Sector state-of-the-art dialogue, archive resolutions, and collective debrief.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Technopoetics Showcase & Lab Wrap-Up
Presentation of experimental multidisciplinary pieces developed during festival labs.
Development ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Alkebulan Slam Grand Finals & Awards Gala
Continental Finale: Crowning the African slam champion, headline concert, and awards gala.
Showcase ProgramThe grand slam
Finalists
in file.
Nine finalist boxes. Six names already in the record. Three slots remain open for the next dispatch.
01 / FINALIST
NaiNena
Confirmed
02 / FINALIST
Wambui the Future
Confirmed
03 / FINALIST
Andete Mulama
Confirmed
04 / FINALIST
Chotara Poet
Confirmed
05 / FINALIST
Xymo Mshairi
Confirmed
06 / FINALIST
She Sheriff
Confirmed
07 / OPEN SLOT
To be announced
Awaiting dispatch
08 / OPEN SLOT
To be announced
Awaiting dispatch
09 / OPEN SLOT
To be announced
Awaiting dispatch
The call out
Bring a room
to life.
Applications are open to artists, curators, educators, collectives, and cultural organisers who want to shape the 2027 festival programme.
01
Host a session
Propose a workshop, lab, salon, conversation, or practical learning space for poets and creative practitioners.
02
Curate a show
Build a showcase, pop-up, acoustic set, or cross-disciplinary programme that belongs in the festival’s citywide rhythm.
03
Perform
Submit your voice for the festival stages, the Live Poetry Booth, showcase programme, or competitive slam pathway.
APPLICATION FILE / PARTICIPATE
The network
Follow the
dispatch.
Keep up with festival updates, artist calls, programme announcements, and the voices shaping the next edition.
PARTNERS / FESTIVAL ECOSYSTEM / OFFICIAL DISPATCH
The champions archive
67 records.
One tie. One more to come.
A living roll call of Poetry Slam Africa champions, with two voices sharing the number 43. Flip each tile to open its profile card, then leave the 68th space unsealed for the Grand Slam winner in January 2027.
68voices represented.
The final card is waiting for its voice.
The final card is waiting for its voice.
POETRY SLAM AFRICA CHAMPIONS ARCHIVE 67 RECORDS / 43 IS A TIE / 01 UNSEALED CARD JANUARY 2027
THE ROLL CALL / 01–68
Open the cards.
Tap or click a champion to turn the card. Profile details currently show the archive role and champion record; richer biographies can be added as the archive is verified.
01 / ARCHIVE
01
Timothy Mwaura
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 01
✦
Timothy Mwaura
1st Slam Africa Champion (Inaugural Slam King)
A foundational pioneer of Nairobi’s competitive spoken-word movement who took the crown at the very first Poetry Slam Africa. He has transitioned into an internationally recognized documentary filmmaker, director, and visual storyteller (Fullfilment Company Ltd), crafting non-fiction cinema centered on urban grassroots narratives and social realism.
02 / ARCHIVE
02
Oballa Dan
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 02
✦
Oballa Dan
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
03 / ARCHIVE
03
Number8
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 03
✦
Number8
3rd Slam Africa Champion
Known on stage as Number8, he was celebrated as one of the sharpest, most technically gifted wordsmiths of the early slam scene. He went on to become a household name across Kenya as an investigative journalist, news anchor, and prime-time business reporter at NTV Kenya.
04 / ARCHIVE
04
Nzilani
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 04
✦
Nzilani
4th Slam Africa Champion (1st Slam Queen)
A historic trailblazer who became the very first woman to win Poetry Slam Africa. Beyond her seminal spoken-word footprint, she is a visual and digital artist, creative educator, and lecturer in digital media and design at the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI).
05 / ARCHIVE
05
Tosh
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 05
✦
Tosh
5th Slam Africa Champion
Crowned the 5th Slam Africa Champion, Tosh Ruchuami is an early pillar of Nairobi's spoken-word renaissance. Outside performance poetry, he works as an educator and professional graphic designer, channeling visual aesthetics, typography, and pedagogical mentorship into his creative practice.
06 / ARCHIVE
06
Pepe Haze
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 06
✦
Pepe Haze
6th Slam Africa Champion
An influential stage voice in the movement’s formative years, known for high-octane stage command and gritty social commentary. He crossed over from the slam stage to mainstream television acting, notably appearing as "Ty" in Season 1 of MTV’s landmark Kenyan drama series MTV Shuga.
07 / ARCHIVE
07
Specifyd
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 07
✦
Specifyd
7th Slam Africa Champion
A standout lyricist of the early slam circuit, Specifyd is an educator, German language teacher, and broadcaster. She broke new ground for broadcast spoken-word media as the host of Sentimental Floetry, a dedicated poetry and spoken-word television showcase that aired on Kenya's K24 TV.
08 / ARCHIVE
08
Kennet B
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 08
✦
Kennet B
8th Slam Africa Champion
A veteran performance poet, grassroots mobilizer, and community organizer. A dedicated custodian of Nairobi's public literary culture, he is the long-standing host and curator of the weekly Poetry After Lunch (PAL) showcase at the Kenya Cultural Centre (KCC / Kenya National Theatre).
09 / ARCHIVE
09
Wanjiku Mwaura
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 09
✦
Wanjiku Mwaura
9th Slam Africa Champion
One of the earliest standout queens of Slam Africa, setting a high standard for female performance poets across East Africa. She has built an international career in global broadcast journalism, working as a multilingual multimedia journalist, reporter, and show host with Germany’s international public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW).
10 / ARCHIVE
10
Peter Wamwea
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 10
✦
Peter Wamwea
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
11 / ARCHIVE
11
Kuni Mbichi
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 11
✦
Kuni Mbichi
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
12 / ARCHIVE
12
Anne Moraa
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 12
✦
Anne Moraa
12th Slam Africa Champion
An acclaimed feminist author, performer, editor, and theatre practitioner. A co-founder of The LAM Sisterhood, Moraa co-created and wrote for the stage hit Too Early for Birds (The Brazen Edition), applying her slam roots to historical research and theatrical storytelling.
13 / ARCHIVE
13
Wangare (Daughter of Exile)
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 13
✦
Wangare (Daughter of Exile)
13th Slam Africa Champion
Performing under the moniker Daughter of Exile, her stage presence is characterized by evocative Pan-African themes, anti-colonial critique, and feminine strength. She remains an essential elder of the spoken-word circuit and regional literary festivals.
14 / ARCHIVE
14
Achieng Adhiambo
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 14
✦
Achieng Adhiambo
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
15 / ARCHIVE
15
Tear drops
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 15
✦
Tear drops
15th Slam Africa Champion
Widely recognized under his stage name Tear Drops, he is celebrated for pioneering the mainstream rise of Sheng and street-level spoken-word poetry across Kenya. Combining lightning-fast cadence with biting social critiques, he turned competitive slam success into a headline touring career, national broadcast features, and ground-breaking studio albums.
16 / ARCHIVE
16
Izzo
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 16
✦
Izzo
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
17 / ARCHIVE
17
El Poet
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 17
✦
El Poet
17th Slam Africa Champion
Renowned for classical cadences, dramatic theatricality, and intricate narrative structures. A pillar of the early Kwani? and Slam Africa stages, his work fuses epic storytelling with explorations of youth and legacy.
18 / ARCHIVE
18
Claude Baus
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 18
✦
Claude Baus
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
19 / ARCHIVE
19
Tracy Gathoni
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 19
✦
Tracy Gathoni
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
20 / ARCHIVE
20
Tuks aka Kombo
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 20
✦
Tuks aka Kombo
20th Slam Africa Champion
Known to the slam circuit as Tuks, Kombo Muoka is a performance poet and filmmaker. His artistic practice bridges spoken-word narrative and cinema, focusing on visual composition, character study, and storytelling for the screen.
21 / ARCHIVE
21
Anshee
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 21
✦
Anshee
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
22 / ARCHIVE
22
Fuse
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 22
✦
Fuse
22nd Slam Africa Champion
A versatile Kenyan spoken-word poet, painter, illustrator, and multidisciplinary visual artist. Sulle is celebrated for combining cosmic lyrical flow with live sketching, gallery exhibitions, and cross-genre creative productions.
23 / ARCHIVE
23
Jeremy Levinger
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 23
✦
Jeremy Levinger
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
24 / ARCHIVE
24
Yung Nnoiz
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 24
✦
Yung Nnoiz
24th Slam Africa Champion
Performing as Yung Nnoiz, Innocent Orunga is a multifaceted vocal percussionist, rapper, and performance poet. In addition to his lyrical mastery on the slam stage, he is a two-time National Beatbox Champion, pushing the boundaries of acoustic sound design, live instrumentation, and vocal rhythm.
25 / ARCHIVE
25
Kimani
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 25
✦
Kimani
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
26 / ARCHIVE
26
G-cho pevu
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 26
✦
G-cho pevu
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
27 / ARCHIVE
27
Dynasty
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 27
✦
Dynasty
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
28 / ARCHIVE
28
Avano
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 28
✦
Avano
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
29 / ARCHIVE
29
Wordbenda
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 29
✦
Wordbenda
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
30 / ARCHIVE
30
Ben Tena
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 30
✦
Ben Tena
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
31 / ARCHIVE
31
Lesan
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 31
✦
Lesan
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
32 / ARCHIVE
32
Pudo
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 32
✦
Pudo
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
33 / ARCHIVE
33
Abu Sense
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 33
✦
Abu Sense
33rd Slam Africa Champion
A spoken-word artist, director, and theatre maker at the cutting edge of alternative performance. Alongside fellow writer-performer Ngartia, he is a co-creator and executive director behind the boundary-pushing historical theatre platform Too Early for Birds, bringing forgotten Kenyan history to life through sold-out theatrical spectacles.
34 / ARCHIVE
34
Dorphan
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 34
✦
Dorphan
34th Slam Africa Champion
Recording artist, lyricist, and hip-hop/theatre practitioner. With acclaimed concept albums such as From The Margins, Dorphan blends urban jazz and hip-hop cadences to document life on Nairobi's periphery.
35 / ARCHIVE
35
Cee L
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 35
✦
Cee L
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
36 / ARCHIVE
36
Asali (Nekoye Ommeh)
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 36
✦
Asali (Nekoye Ommeh)
36th Slam Africa Champion
A poet, vocal artist, and cultural writer whose work explores femininity, mental wellbeing, family heritage, and personal healing with gentle, acoustic cadences.
37 / ARCHIVE
37
Luki
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 37
✦
Luki
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
38 / ARCHIVE
38
Rix poet
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 38
✦
Rix poet
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
39 / ARCHIVE
39
Raya Wambui
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 39
✦
Raya Wambui
39th Slam Africa Champion
Multidisciplinary poet, writer, and performer. Wambui’s sparse, rhythmic style addresses gender, trauma, memory, and womanhood. She has frequently represented East African performance literature on international stages.
40 / ARCHIVE
40
Mufasa
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 40
✦
Mufasa
40th Slam Africa Champion
One of the most recognizable voices in East African performance literature. The author of Raising a Sun and producer of major theatrical poetry concerts like Mufasa for President, he is a dedicated mentor, judge, and regular contributor to the Slam Africa circuit.
41 / ARCHIVE
41
Asap
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 41
✦
Asap
41st Slam Africa Champion
Known to the poetry stage as ASAP, he is the lead vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist of Kenya’s award-winning Afro-pop/acoustic trio H_ART the Band. His slam roots directly forged the conversational, poetic lyricism of the band’s biggest records (including "Uliza Kiatu" and "El Shaddai").
42 / ARCHIVE
42
Dante
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 42
✦
Dante
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
43 / ARCHIVE
43
Gufy
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 43
✦
Gufy
43rd Slam Africa Co-Champion (Tie)
A celebrated solo conceptual poet, stage producer, and writer who tied for the 43rd Slam Africa title. Renowned for conceptual poetry concerts that have repeatedly packed the Kenya National Theatre, Gufy has created influential literary and musical works, including his seminal project Piny Ok Dala Wa.
43 / ARCHIVE
43
Chira
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 43
✦
Chira
43rd Slam Africa Co-Champion (Tie)
Performance poet, actor, and spoken-word practitioner who tied for the 43rd Slam Africa title. He is widely celebrated across Africa as a founding member, lyricist, and theatrically electrifying performer in the chart-topping music trio H_ART the Band.
44 / ARCHIVE
44
Flowflani
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 44
✦
Flowflani
44th Slam Africa Champion
A revolutionary poet, hip-hop emcee, beatboxer, and stage actor. Known for his socially conscious, community-rooted performances, Flowflani merges rhythmic beatbox syncopation with hard-hitting spoken verse to address systemic justice, youth struggles, and grassroots resilience.
45 / ARCHIVE
45
Rein
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 45
✦
Rein
45th Slam Africa Champion
A dynamic spoken-word artist and filmmaker. Rein bridges poetic imagery and cinema, using non-linear writing and the camera to interrogate contemporary socio-cultural landscapes, human emotion, and youth culture.
46 / ARCHIVE
46
Poetic Bee
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 46
✦
Poetic Bee
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
47 / ARCHIVE
47
Robi Robbery (Filosomani)
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 47
✦
Robi Robbery (Filosomani)
47th Slam Africa Champion
Known for rapid-fire Swahili delivery, street philosophy (Filosomani), and bilingual wordplay that deconstructs socioeconomic inequality and everyday urban hustle.
48 / ARCHIVE
48
Femi
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 48
✦
Femi
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
49 / ARCHIVE
49
Murathe
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 49
✦
Murathe
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
50 / ARCHIVE
50
Sally Wesh
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 50
✦
Sally Wesh
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
51 / ARCHIVE
51
Mbunge Aliyeparara
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 51
✦
Mbunge Aliyeparara
51st Slam Africa Champion
Nakuru-grounded Swahili satirist, spoken-word artist, and filmmaker whose moniker translates to "The Impoverished Member of Parliament." His work leverages political comedy, cinematic storytelling, and biting public accountability verse.
52 / ARCHIVE
52
Akuya Ekorot
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 52
✦
Akuya Ekorot
52nd Slam Africa Champion
A performance poet and filmmaker. Akuya Ekorot channels raw theatrical delivery into screen-based visual narratives, capturing identity, community memory, and cultural preservation through both verse and film direction.
53 / ARCHIVE
53
Virusi Mbaya
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 53
✦
Virusi Mbaya
53rd Slam Africa Champion
Hardcore hip-hop lyricist, battle emcee, and spoken-word artist. Renowned for raw, uncompromised political dissidence and street-level activism.
54 / ARCHIVE
54
Vanessa Ombura
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 54
✦
Vanessa Ombura
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
55 / ARCHIVE
55
Norman Mosoti
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 55
✦
Norman Mosoti
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
56 / ARCHIVE
56
Keith Kibet
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 56
✦
Keith Kibet
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
57 / ARCHIVE
57
Sanna Arman
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 57
✦
Sanna Arman
- Record
- Grand Slam champion
- Archive
- Champion profile
A voice held in the Poetry Slam Africa champions’ archive.
58 / ARCHIVE
58
Ivan irakoze
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 58
✦
Ivan irakoze
58th Slam Africa Champion
Burundian-born, Nairobi-raised performance poet and creative technologist. Irakoze pioneered interactive and immersive spoken-word projects, including choose-your-own-adventure stage albums with live backing bands.
59 / ARCHIVE
59
Shikki
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 59
✦
Shikki
59th Slam Africa Champion
An award-winning spoken-word poet, published author, club DJ, music producer, and human rights/social justice advocate. Her work directly explores refugee narratives, gender equality, and intersectional storytelling.
60 / ARCHIVE
60
Becky
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 60
✦
Becky
60th Slam Africa Champion / 2016 Grand Slam Queen
A commanding stage voice who clinched the 2016 Grand Slam title at the Kenya National Theatre, known for vulnerability and commanding cadences.
61 / ARCHIVE
61
Kikete
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 61
✦
Kikete
61st Slam Africa Champion / 2017 Grand Slam King
2017 Grand Slam winner known for athletic physical delivery, rhythmic pacing, and explorations of African masculinity and social heritage.
62 / ARCHIVE
62
Yours Truly
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 62
✦
Yours Truly
62nd Slam Africa Champion / 2018 Grand Slam King
Crowned the 2018 Grand Slam Champion, Kimathi Kaumbutho is a performance poet, standup comedian, and sports director. He heads True Talents of Africa (TTA), an elite youth football academy and sports development program, bridging high-performance athletics with creative stagecraft and live standup comedy.
63 / ARCHIVE
63
Aminatuzahra Kalebi
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 63
✦
Aminatuzahra Kalebi
63rd Slam Africa Champion / 2019 Grand Slam Queen
Crowned 2019 Grand Slam Queen and recipient of the Dan Garang Nyacharo Memorial Award, she is a practicing Counseling Psychologist, Mental Health Advocate, and registered member of the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA). She currently serves as Director at Ahmed Kalebi Consultancy, integrating therapeutic wellness, bereavement care, and emotional healing into her creative advocacy.
64 / ARCHIVE
64
Timo GK
Tap to open profile
PSA CHAMPION / 64
✦
Timo GK
64th Slam Africa Champion
A spoken-word artist, artisan, and jewellery designer. He is the founder and creative force at Kraft Konnect, combining poetic discipline with handcrafted artisanal design and contemporary wearable art.
65 / ARCHIVE
65
Slim Shaka
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PSA CHAMPION / 65
✦
Slim Shaka
65th Slam Africa Champion / Grand Slam King
One of Kenya's foremost international slam exponents and theatre-makers, creator of the stage production Of a Dying Breed, and a global finalist representing Kenya at the 2023 World Poetry Slam Championship in Brazil.
66 / ARCHIVE
66
Dominion
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PSA CHAMPION / 66
✦
Dominion
66th Slam Africa Champion
Hailing from Eldoret, Moses Kiptoo—performing as Dominion—is a powerhouse competitive slam poet and international representative. A standout on global stages, he represented Kenya at the 2025 World Poetry Slam Championship, securing an exceptional 2nd place finish in the world finals.
67 / ARCHIVE
67
Timelines
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PSA CHAMPION / 67
✦
Timelines
67th Slam Africa Champion / Grand Slam King
Actor, spoken-word performer, and international competitor who placed 2nd globally at the World Poetry Slam Championship in Durban, South Africa, representing the contemporary height of Kenyan performance poetry.
68 / UNSEALED
?
The next champion
Grand Slam Final / January 2027
68 / TO BE DECIDED
?
Who will take the title?
The 68th name will be written here after the Grand Slam Final in January 2027.
NAIROBI
POSTAL
DISPATCH
2027
OFFICIAL ISSUE
POSTAL
DISPATCH
2027
OFFICIAL ISSUE
CASE FILE: PSA-2027-FEST
POETRY SLAM
AFRICA 2027
DATES
24–31 JAN 2027
24–31 JAN 2027
HOST CITY
NAIROBI, KE
NAIROBI, KE
STATUS
OPEN FILE
OPEN FILE
POETRY SLAM AFRICA FESTIVAL 2027 / OFFICIAL COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE
A CONTINENT
IN VERSE.
Established in 2008, Poetry Slam Africa returns to Nairobi for an eight-day cultural programme bringing together poets, educators, producers, audiences, academics, and creative industry stakeholders.
Filed under: the future remembers aloud.
MANILA NOTE / 001Top Secret
“We gather not to flatten difference, but to let every accent become evidence.”
THE 2027 CURATION MANIFESTO
THE BRIEFING
Executive festival overview
Poetry Slam Africa is a continental meeting point for performance poets, cultural workers, audiences, and the next generation of oral historians. The Nairobi 2027 edition treats the festival as both championship and living archive: a place where competitive form meets public memory.
The festival is a learning, networking, showcase, and competition platform using spoken word to advance cultural expression, civic dialogue, youth participation, accessibility, and Pan-African exchange.
DIEHARD TICKET WAITLIST / PUBLIC DISPATCH
Reserve your place before the ticket file opens.
Join the diehard list for ticket updates and the official newsletter dispatch.
Your details will be used for the ticket and newsletter dispatch only.
The same waitlist form opens in a secure pop-up from this button or the first-page waitlist prompt.
EVIDENCE LEDGER / KEY FACTS
| Expected attendees | 1,500+ |
|---|---|
| Competing delegates | 20+ African hub finalists |
| Masterclasses & labs | 6 professional labs |
8-DAY FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
The festival file
24–31 January 2027 / Nairobi, Kenya
Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi
Street Poetry
Raw poetry in the street, acoustic spoken word cyphers, and grassroots community performance (Single Festival Xtra activity).
Festival XtraTBD
Open Mic Night
Community open mic session, acoustic gathering, and festival registration warm-up (Single Festival Xtra activity).
Festival XtraAlliance Française
Industry Forum 1
Cross-border touring, regional mobility corridors, visa protocols, and funding access.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Writing for Stage: Rhythm, Cadence & Narrative
Theatrical script adaptation, rhythmic delivery, and performance craftsmanship.
Development ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Nuetry
Experimental new-wave poetry, digital visuals, electronic soundscapes, and hybrid forms.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Industry Forum 2: Sustaining the Voice
Fair remuneration, royalties, copyright management, split sheets, and digital licensing.
Industry ProgramKenya National Theatre
Masterclass: Theatrical Staging for Poets
Spatial awareness, stage blocking, lighting integration, and technical production.
Development ProgramKenya National Theatre (Main Auditorium)
Main Event: Poetry Slam Africa Grand Slam
Flagship National Slam Finals featuring Kenya's top qualifying competitive poets.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Industry Forum 3: Technopoetics & Digital Catalogs
Creative audio capture, screen poetry, podcasting, and digital archive distribution.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Campus-to-Career Forum
Vocational transition for emerging artists, production apprenticeships, and cultural enterprise models.
Outreach ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Theatrical Showcase
Curated narrative suites, spoken word theater productions, and multi-poet ensembles.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Industry Forum 4: Meet the Festivals
Curators and festival directors roundtable on international co-commissions and residencies.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Masterclass:
Strategic masterclass on competitive slam craft led by former continental laureates.
Development ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Alkebulan Slam Quarter Finals
Continental Championship: Pool preliminary knockout rounds across national champions.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Continental Federation Roundtable
Policy and administrative alignment across African national slam organizations.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Annual Schools Slam Finals (Rising Voices)
Inter-school poetry league finals spotlighting secondary school talent and youth voices.
Outreach ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Alkebulan Slam Semi-Finals
Continental Championship: Top 16 semi-final knockout rounds.
Showcase ProgramAlliance Française
Closing Town Hall
Sector state-of-the-art dialogue, archive resolutions, and collective debrief.
Industry ProgramAlliance Française
Technopoetics Showcase & Lab Wrap-Up
Presentation of experimental multidisciplinary pieces developed during festival labs.
Development ProgramAlliance Française
Main Event: Alkebulan Slam Grand Finals & Awards Gala
Continental Finale: Crowning the African slam champion, headline concert, and awards gala.
Showcase ProgramDELEGATE & GUEST INFORMATION
Logistics & field protocol
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE NAIROBI
Festival headquarters
Loita Street / CBD
All festival events / 28–31 January
All core festival programming from the formal opening through the Grand Slam Finals takes place at Alliance Française Nairobi.
ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE NAIROBI
Loita Street / CBD
-1.2855, 36.8214
Labs, clinics & acoustic programming
Use the Loita Street entrance. Bring accreditation or guest pass for controlled sessions.
ARRIVAL PROTOCOL
Transit via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Confirm Kenya eTA guidance before travel; carry yellow fever documentation where required and keep a digital copy of your accreditation.
SHUTTLE TRANSIT
Festival shuttle routes connect official accommodation clusters, NBO transfer points, and Alliance Française Nairobi. Pickup schedules are issued at check-in.
CURRENCY & PAYMENTS
Kenyan Shilling (KES). Enable M-Pesa before arrival; cards are accepted at major venues. Suggested daily per diem: KES 4,000–7,000 depending on meals and local travel.
LIVE POETRY BOOTH
The festival’s digital production engine
Based at Alliance Française Nairobi, the Live Poetry Booth provides a professional recording environment for visiting and participating artists, extending the festival beyond the physical room.
Dedicated audio recording and portrait video capture are paired with rapid processing of performance material, distribution-ready assets for Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, and short-form social platforms, and a continuing PSA Live Booth content series.
PRODUCTION NOTES
- 01 / Dedicated audio recording
- 02 / Portrait video capture
- 03 / Rapid processing and delivery
- 04 / Content series continuity
SLAM ARCHITECTURE
How the competition works
Original work
Poets present original work before a live audience in a competitive performance format.
Five judges
Scores range from 0.0 to 10.0, with the highest and lowest scores removed.
Cumulative pathway
The middle three scores aggregate to a maximum of 30 points; elimination brackets determine the champion.
The 2026–27 season culminates in the Grand Slam Finals, with the champion progressing to the World Poetry Slam Championships pathway.
STAGE, TECH & COMPETITION RULES RIDER
The rules ledger
SLAM RULES / READ BEFORE STAGE
| Time limit | 3 minutes, with a 10-second grace period. |
|---|---|
| Performance | No props, costumes, instruments, or pre-recorded vocal tracks. |
| Scoring | Three median judges; cumulative scoring across the championship rounds. |
| Eligibility | Registered African hub finalists with completed accreditation. |
STAGE & TECH / PRODUCTION NOTE
| FOH audio | Behringer digital FOH rig with stage monitor send. |
|---|---|
| Microphones | Shure wireless dynamic microphones; two stage-ready units. |
| Capture | Multi-cam 4K capture with clean program feed and archive ISO. |
| Lighting | Warm key for spoken word, red punctuation cues for score reveals. |
PRESS, ACCREDITATION & CONTACT
Official accreditation form
OFFICIAL
PSA
2027
PSA
2027
PRESS DESK
press@poetryslamafrica.org
DELEGATE DESK
delegates@poetryslamafrica.org
DISPATCH OFFICE
Nairobi, Kenya / PSA-2027-FEST