As I approached Lions Primary School on Saturday April 12, it was clear that something major was unfolding.

The roads were busy with activity—traffic jammed with cars and motorbikes, while businesses along the way were in full swing.

This is the venue of the ongoing National drama festivals, attracting schools from across the country.

Smocha joints, ice cream vendors, sweet sellers, and boda boda riders were all capitalizing on the crowd.

Photography booth at Lions Primary School during the National drama festivals, on 12th April 2025.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

The atmosphere grew even busier when I arrived at the designated business park. Along the fence were rows of pitched tents.

Students moved around eagerly, browsing different vendors to find something to eat or buy.

Vendors were aggressive in their sales pitches, constantly calling out to passers-by with the familiar phrase, “Karibu Customer!”

Felix Omondi, a food vendor, shared that he usually sells sausages, smokies, and eggs in Nakuru city centre, but since the festival came to town, he’s been operating near Lions Primary School to take advantage of the attendees.

“Back in town, I sell about two dozen smokies and a dozen sausages a day,” he says. “But since I moved here, I’ve had to increase to three dozen smokies because of the demand. I’ve even added chapatis to make smochas.”

Omondi is currently selling chapatis and sausages for Sh. 30 each, and smokies for Sh. 40, noting that he’s able to clear his entire stock daily.

Robert Odede, a boda boda rider, says the drama festivals have significantly boosted his business. He now ferries teachers and locals to and from town throughout the day.

Robert Odede a bodaboda rider at Lions Primary School during the National drama festivals, on 12th April 2025.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

“Most of us don’t have a fixed stage in town, so when the festivals kicked off on Monday, we jumped at the opportunity. I work from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” he says.

His earnings have shot up from the usual Sh. 800 to about Sh. 1,500 daily.

Sylvester Sammy, who sells beaded bracelets known as ‘Shambala’, says business peaked on Monday and Tuesday. He made sales worth Sh. 10,000 but has seen a decline in the past three days.

Silvester Sammy is selling Shambala at Lions Primary School during the National drama festivals, on 12th April, 2025.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

Sammy points out that when it rains, business drops drastically since the students rush to their buses and don’t return to the business park.

On the other hand, food vendor Loise Wanja expressed frustration, saying they were misled when paying for their vending space.

“We were told there would only be 10 vendors, but when we arrived, the number was far higher. Honestly, we don’t think we’ll break even,” she says, referring to the Sh. 50,000 fee she paid.

Still, she remains optimistic. “We’re hopeful things will pick up in the coming days, and we’ll eventually make a profit.”

Other businesses at the park include photography booths, painters, watches, sunglasses, snacks, water and soda vendors

Behind the curtain: What it takes to host the National drama festivals

Author Spotlight

Leleti Jassor