Poets in Nakuru continue to feel the growing influence of Poets You Should Know (PYSK), a platform that has quickly become one of the city’s most transformative spaces for spoken-word artists.

‎‎Nyash the Poet, who participated in the inaugural edition, says the initiative has brought remarkable change to the community.

‎‎“PYSK and Tribeless Youth have collaborated with Baraza Media Lab to create a consistent home for poets to share their art,” she explains, noting that the partnership has given creatives a reliable stage and a sense of belonging.

‎‎According to her, visibility for local poets has also improved significantly. “It has been a great way to build visibility for poets, especially online,” she says. “We also see poets during open mics having access to share their art with the growing audience, which is a positive thing.”

‎‎Beyond visibility, the platform has invested heavily in mentorship and professional growth. Nyash highlights the impact of their training sessions, saying, “Through collaboration, I’ve seen poets come together to put up concept shows.”

‎‎Reflecting on her own journey, she adds, “Any stage that I am a part of is a moment of growth, and this was no different. I love how every time poetry has been a conversation between my art and our experiences collectively.”

‎‎One particularly memorable experience for her was during Slim Shaka’s featured edition. “We had a workshop with creatives which really sparked conversations on growing as poets especially financially,” she recalls.

‎‎Caasi Isaac performed during Men’s Mental Health Month, a moment he describes as both meaningful and powerful.

‎‎“That gave me a chance to tell a story that advocated for men’s mental health, and the response from the audience was perfect,” he says.

Caasi Isaac is a poet in Nakuru

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU / MTAA WANGU

‎‎He notes that he loves the networking that happens in that place, poets, creatives, narrators, and the audience coming together to enjoy art and tell our African stories,” He notes. “The issues addressed range from GBV, education, crime, love, the state of the nation, to every untold story.”

‎‎For Timelines Poet, PYSK’s national reach stands out. “PYSK has managed to create a national network and exposure by bringing poets from other counties, such as Dominion and Slim Shaka, who are both slam champions and phenomenal poets,” he says.

‎‎He also highlights the platform’s training opportunities. “Poets You Should Know has consistently held workshops open to all Nakuru poets and performers, training them in writing, financial literacy, and production,” he explains.

‎‎The digital influence is equally notable. “PYSK has kept up a significant digital footprint with posts getting thousands of likes and hundreds of thousands of views. This not only exposes performers to a global audience but also strengthens the impact.”

‎‎The Slim Shaka edition remains a favourite among many. “That edition gifted poets with knowledge about how to budget for shows and how to make money out of poetry,” he says.

‎‎Having hosted seven editions this year, each pulling a full-capacity audience, many poets now regard PYSK as the leading open-mic platform in Nakuru.

‎‎As the city’s creative community continues to flourish, PYSK’s role in shaping poets, strengthening networks, and amplifying voices appears set to grow even further.

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Nakuru poets rule the stage again as Timelines wins national crown

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Muthoni Wanjiku