POETRY SLAM AFRICA RETURNS: ONE WEEK TO THE 2026–27 SEASON OPENER

 

Kenya's premier spoken word platform kicks of the 2026-27 season at Braeburn Theatre, Nairobi

[NAIROBI, KENYA - June 2026] - Poetry Slam Africa is set to launch its 2026-27 competitive season with the 1st Preliminary, marking the beginning of a renewed chapter in African performance poetry. The first preliminary will be hosted at the Braeburn Theatre along Gatanga Road on 14th June 2026.

Past performance photo courtesy of creative Spills 


For the first time in its history, the competition moves from its long-time home at the Goethe-Institut Nairobi to the prestigious Braeburn Theatre on Gitanga Road, signaling a significant expansion in both scale and ambition. The move reflects Poetry Slam Africa's continued commitment to elevating spoken word performance and creating larger, more impactful spaces for poets and audiences alike.

Poetry Slam Africa features three quarterly preliminary events, each serving as a pathway to the season-ending Grand Slam Finale. The 2026-27 season continues this traditional competitive structure,where the top three poets from each preliminary event will earn a coveted place at the Grand Slam Finals, the crowning event of the annual Poetry Slam Africa Festival scheduled for 28-31 January 2027. 



Each Preliminary features 9 contestants who battle it out for the coveted spot in the Grand Slam finals. Only three participants are chosen per preliminary to showcase their talents at the annual poetry championship. The opening preliminary will feature an exciting lineup of performers battling for advancement to the Grand Slam Finals:

1.Ker_engede

2. NaiNena

3. Neema

4. Divine Poet

5. Roba Is Here

6. Moraa Music

7. Pish Karry

8.Mulama Andete

9. Evie James

10. Wambui the Future

11. Tom Pogba

For nearly two decades, Poetry Slam Africa has been a cornerstone of Kenya's spoken word ecosystem, providing a platform for emerging and established poets to develop their craft, engage audiences, and amplify important social conversations.

It has birthed some of Kenya’s biggest poetic voices including the 1st Slam Africa Champion, documentaryfilmmaker Timothy Mwaura, Hart-the-Band (Kenya’s biggest poetry band), Dann Number 8 of NTV, Abu Sense and Ngartia of Too Early for Birds, Wanjiku Mwaura of Deutsche Welle, TearDrops (Kenya’s revolutionary sheng wordsmith), Mufasa Poet (Actor,teaching artist and Kenya’s biggest poet), Gufy (Spotify spoken word ambassador and filmmaker) and Slim Shaka (Finalist at World Poetry Slam Championships 2022).



Most recently, the platform produced Dominion, runner-up at the 2025 World Poetry Slam Championships, and Timelines, the reigning Grand Slam Champion who will represent Kenya at the 2026 World Slam Championships in Durban, South Africa.

Across its history, Poetry Slam Africa has provided a platform to over 1,000 participants and received submissions from more than 10,000 poets across the region. Its legacy is not measured in champions alone but in every voice it has helped find their stage.


Photos courtesy of Creative Spills 


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