Nakuru artists turn to City's walls to honour the greats
Mural of spoken word artist Willie Oeba for his work in the last ten years. Photo taken on February 26, 2025.
Many have been honoured in different ways for their positive contributions to society.
In Nakuru, a collective of local artists, including Dante, Bantu, and Evans Arts, among others, have turned to street art to honour legendary figures who have made a mark on Nakuru and Kenya at large.
One of the most striking murals is that of Barbushe Maina, popularly referred to as Nakuru's founding father of art.
His contributions to the local creative scene have inspired generations of artists. Barbushe has been instrumental in the growth of artists at the Nakuru Players Theatre.
(From right) Barbushe Maina and Liz on a mural next to the Cigma roundabout . They have been active in the Nakuru Creative scene and contributed to its growth.
In 2024, a group of artists from Artolution painted a mural of him near the Cigma Roundabout, capturing his deep passion for culture and heritage and his dedication to nurturing young talent.
The wall painting seeks to remind Nakuru residents and visitors of Barbushe’s role in establishing art as a fundamental part of Nakuru’s cultural identity and how he played a key role in Nakuru receiving the UNESCO Creative City title.
Another powerful mural celebrates Liz, the renowned spoken word artist from Nakuru’s Players Theatre.
Known for her striking performances that highlight social issues, Liz has used poetry to give a voice to the marginalized. Local artists say it is not just about Liz’s impact but also about encouraging young performers to use their art for advocacy.
Additionally, Willie Oeba has also been featured on Nakuru’s walls, with his art painted on a wall near Gate Iguru.
The spoken word king has been celebrated by artist Dante for his social justice work that calls for accountability and social change.
Willie has been in the industry for a decade, delivering punchy spoken word pieces fearlessly and unapologetically. His works include Dear Mr. President, Wajinga Nyinyi, Uhuru Mali Uende, among others.
Beyond Nakuru’s own legends, the mural movement has extended to national heroes, celebrating key figures who have shaped Kenya’s history and cultural landscape.
A mural of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, along Kenyatta Avenue, on Stone Plaza’s wall,in honor of her environmental conservation efforts.
Along Kenyatta Avenue, on Stone Plaza’s wall, a mural of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai has been erected, celebrating her efforts in environmental conservation and her advocacy for tree planting.
As she championed more green coverage, her mural has also been painted in green.
The initiative aims to preserve stories and legacies in a way that resonates with the younger generation while embracing Nakuru’s title as a UNESCO Creative City and using the city’s walls as canvases to record history.