‎With over a decade of experience in the industry, Nakuru dancer and choreographer Wilson Muhanji has opened up about the growing challenges facing dancers in Nakuru, stressing the urgent need for more opportunities and greater investment in the creative sector.

‎‎Muhanji explains that the most significant hurdle facing dancers today is the lack of opportunities. He notes that even though many events are hosted in Nakuru, organisers often bring in dancers from outside the county, which side-lines local performers.

‎‎“The biggest challenge is opportunities. People bring events to Nakuru and still come with their dancers, so we are left out,” he says.

‎‎This trend, he adds, has discouraged many promising talents who rarely get a chance to showcase their abilities.

‎‎Furthermore, he highlights underpayment and the absence of proper capacity-building programmes as additional barriers limiting the growth of dancers.

‎‎“We are underpaid, and there are no trainings to build our capacity or equip us with knowledge,” he explains, emphasizing that dancers need structured development to keep up with the evolving industry.

‎‎According to Muhanji, auditions and competitions offer minimal opportunities noting that the lack of fairness limits access for talented dancers who simply want a chance to be seen.

“Even when there is a competition, it’s gate-kept by the people in charge,” he says.

‎‎Although he acknowledges that the industry is slowly growing, he insists that more events dedicated specifically to dancers are necessary.

‎‎He believes that respect for their craft must also be prioritised. “We need more events for dancers and more respect for what we do,” he says.

‎‎Another major challenge he points out is the lack of training spaces. The only dance studio that once existed has since closed down, leaving dancers without reliable venues to practice.

‎‎“Without a place to train and with no money to attend events, it becomes very hard,” he notes.

‎‎This limitation, combined with financial constraints such as transport and accommodation, makes it difficult for many dancers to progress.

‎‎Muhanji also emphasises that these obstacles affect dancers’ professionalism. “It’s even hard to treat injuries. Some dancers quit because they can’t afford treatment,” he explains.

‎‎Despite Nakuru being the only UNESCO Creative City, Muhanji believes dancers do not feel the benefits.

‎‎“Nakuru is a Creative City, but we don’t feel the benefits as dancers,” he says, adding that paid opportunities remain scarce.

‎‎He also notes that while social media has opened new doors, platforms like TikTok have blurred the value placed on trained dancers. “TikTokers get privileges that should go to dancers who have invested in their craft,” he observes.

‎‎Looking ahead, he calls for more workshops, scholarships and better-paying gigs.

‎‎“We are athletes. We need sponsorships and endorsements Just like other forms if art,” he says.

‎‎Even with the challenges, Muhanji remains hopeful, saying he will continue learning and sharing knowledge to help revive Nakuru’s dance culture.

'Tiktokers are stealing our shine,' A Nakuru dancer's lamentations

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Muthoni Wanjiku