High energy, low turnout: Wins and misses at the Nakuru Food Festival

The second edition of the Nakuru Food Festival was everything I had hoped for: good food, great music and a fantastic atmosphere.

From the moment I arrived, it was clear that a lot of planning had gone into this event. The girls came dressed in outfits straight out of a Pinterest board, and even the boys didn’t disappoint.

For a moment, I almost forgot that this was a food festival because it felt like a fashion show. But as soon as I caught the smell of shawarma and grilled meat, I was reminded of the main event.

This year's festival compared to the first one in June, it definitely had a different feel. The crowd was smaller (the classic Nakuru response when tickets are introduced), but still energetic.

Tickets cost Sh500 for general admission and Sh1,000 for VIP access, which helped to filter the audience. This time, the vibe was more youthful, with fewer parents and children present.

There were also fewer vendors. Some booths were empty, unlike last year when every spot was occupied. But the big names still showed up: Mr Shawarma, Fire & Flavour, Jajemelo, Sip & Pop Boba, Chillies, Madini and The Ole-Ken — basically enough variety to keep us foodies satisfied.

One thing I loved more about this edition was how organised it felt. Unlike last time, when they were scattered all over, all the food booths were in one section.

This made the experience smoother and more interactive. The stage and dancefloor setup was hands down the highlight! The energy there was off the charts, dancers hyping up the crowd, challenges, gifts flying around, it was impossible to just stand still.

Then it started to rain. Rather than killing the vibe, it only fuelled it further. The crowd went even harder. Sherehe Sheria.

Security was also top-notch this year. With ticketing in place, the rowdy troublemakers from last time were nowhere to be seen. I could finally relax and enjoy my food without holding onto my phone for dear life. The security team were also visible and effective, which gave me real peace of mind.

Parking was another pleasant surprise. Cars were allowed inside the venue and, honestly, it turned into a mini car show. People checked out different cars, mingled, and even blended motor talk with food and music. This gave the festival an unexpected but fun twist.

And the mascots! Whoever came up with that idea was spot on. They danced, hugged and hyped up the crowd, it was the kind of playful energy that made the whole thing feel warm and interactive.

But my favourite part came after 6.m when parents were kindly asked to leave with their children. From that point on, the festival transformed into a nightlife party for over-18s, and the vibe shifted completely. The music was turned up, the drinks flowed, and Nakuru’s food festival suddenly felt like the hottest party in town.

The line-up was insane: Tipsy Gee owned the stage with wild energy, Hush Bk kept us entertained on the mic, and DJs such as Inka Sound, DJ Sirme and DJ Jomba ensured there was non-stop music. By the end of it, my feet hurt from dancing, but my soul was full.

In hindsight, the second edition did have fewer people and vendors. But the better organisation, improved security, smooth parking, fun mascots and amazing performances more than made up for it. The after-dark twist sealed the deal for me.

Bottom line: Nakuru knows how to turn a food festival into a full-blown celebration. If this is the direction it’s headed in, I’m already saving up for the next one!