Inside Nakuru's Ladies Fun Day event where men are not allowed
An aerial view of the women who turned up at the Ladies fun day event in Nakuru on April 5, 2025.
Nothing says 'I love you' more than a husband curating an event to give his wife and other women like her a safe space to unwind.
This is the story of Ladies Fun Day, an event concept aimed exclusively at women looking for community, sisterhood and a little girl fun.
Launched last December, the event is designed to bring out the inner child in women that is often suppressed by the pressures of adulthood. Activities include bouncy castles, childhood games such as kati and playful dance competitions.
Mercy Ellen during an interview at the Ladies fun day event in Nakuru on April 5, 2025.
Spearheading this first-of-its-kind event in Nakuru are Dennis Meso and Mercy Ellen, both no strangers to the Nakuru event space, having helped curate Oldies and Soul.
According to Meso, the idea for the 'women only' event came to him at a time of deep reflection after watching his wife get buried in taking care of everyone in the house, with little time for herself.
Dennis Meso during an interview at the Ladies fun day event in Nakuru on April 5, 2025.
"I saw my wife getting up early, making breakfast for everyone, sleeping late after making sure everyone was well, but she didn't have enough time for herself. Even when she went out with her girls, it was only for a limited time before she had to rush back home," Meso reveals.
It was then that he thought of an all-day event where women could dedicate themselves to being just girls.
Meso then took the idea to his business partner, Ellen, who helped bring the concept to life.
Some of the Ladies fun day event participants pose for a photo after winning a dancing competition on April 5, 2025.
"You see men finding ways to let loose when they drop by a bar after work or meet friends for nyamchom, but women rarely have time for that. Between work and family, there's very little time to just have fun," he says.
But why was it important to make it exclusively for women?
"The majority of women are usually reluctant to 'go out' because they feel watched and judged by men. We wanted to create a space where they could feel comfortable, free and safe. You can see how carefree they are," Meso says.
When asked why she embraced the idea, Ellen says it was an answer to a question that had been nagging at her for a while.
"There was a time when I felt I needed an escape because I'm a very outgoing person, but all the options just weren't it," she says.
Now that the second edition has taken place, Ellen says she has seen a growing interest in the event.
Comedian and poet Precious Owoko jumps rope during the games at Ladies fun day event in Nakuru on April 5, 2025.
"We have a WhatsApp group of about 150 women. The turnout is also higher this time with a group coming from Nairobi to participate," she says.
But Ellen bemoans the cost of organising such an event, given the notoriously low purchasing power of the people of Nakuru.
"People in Nakuru are afraid of ticketed events, but this is a culture I am determined to change by offering value for money," she says confidently.
As for how she feels when she sees the women enjoying themselves, Ellen has one word for it: ecstatic.