By Bill Odidi
A new generation of poets, singers, rappers, actors and visual artists, are channeling their talents towards human rights and good governance advocacy in East Africa. In Kenya, artists have been at the forefront of the recent demonstrations demanding change in the sociopolitical order.
Social Justice Travelling Theatre is among this new generation of artists that have played a prominent role in creating social and political awareness within the informal settlements of Nairobi. The group was formed by young artists from Social Justice Centers Working Group, community activists based in the informal settlements of Nairobi and other major towns in Kenya.
29-year-old Minoo Kyaa who turned to acting when she could not find a job after completing her college education in banking and accounting, says their troupe has embraced the power of art as a beacon to social change.
Currently there are 30 members aged between 21 and 33 years of age who perform theatre on stage and in the streets to address the major challenges facing their communities. “We love street performances because that format allows us to take theatre directly to the people affected,” says Kyaa. “We go to where the people are; on the streets, in buses and trains, that is the way to raise the level of consciousness and to get people to own their problems and seek solutions.”
The group, which has a rehearsal space in Dandora, one of the city’s most economically deprived areas, supports their advocacy work by saving any income they earn whenever they perform for occasions like International Women’s Day or special events organized by non-governmental organizations.
“We dramatize situations that raise questions in the minds of the audience without saying everything in black and white. Then the community is able to relate to an issue that is at the heart of national debate,” says Kyaa.
This strategy proved effective in the uprising over the contentious tax proposals in Kenya that kick-started the youth-led protests in June 2024 and were eventually withdrawn by the President under immense pressure from the demonstrators.
“The demonstrations are always punctuated with a song,” says Kyaa. “The role of music may not be directly acknowledged in pushing for change but you can see that it is a forceful driver of the people’s demands.”