Lessons Nakuru event's organisers can learn from Nairobi’s event experiences
Revellers at Kalenjin Festival
Over the weekend, I had the privilege of attending an event in Nairobi, and I must say it was nothing short of a premium experience. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that a great deal of thought and planning had gone into every aspect of the event. It was unlike anything I had experienced before and offered valuable lessons that could help shape the future of the entertainment industry in Nakuru.
One of the first things that stood out to me was the level of organization. From the parking arrangements to the ticketing process and vendor management, everything flowed smoothly. There were no gate tickets, which made entry much easier. Attendees simply provided the phone number used to purchase their tickets and were cleared to enter. This not only reduced congestion at the entrance but also enhanced security and efficiency.
As someone who enjoys exploring different event offerings, I made a point of checking out the vendors as soon as I arrived. There was a good variety of food and beverage options available throughout the venue. While I felt the number of vendors was not quite enough for the large crowd in attendance, I appreciated the fact that they kept customers informed whenever there were delays in service. That communication helped create a positive experience despite the long queues.
Another aspect that impressed me was the audience. Throughout the performances, people remained supportive of the artists on stage, even when some songs did not resonate with the crowd as expected. It was refreshing to see attendees giving performers a chance to complete their sets. In contrast, I have attended concerts closer to home where some audience members waved artists away or shouted at them to perform different songs whenever unfamiliar tracks were played.
The experience also reinforced the importance of arriving at events early. Showing up on time allows attendees to enjoy the full experience while giving artists enough time to perform without rushing through their acts. It also helps avoid situations where headline performers take the stage very late when audiences are already exhausted.
I believe there are important lessons here for Nakuru's entertainment scene. More companies need to support the industry through sponsorships and partnerships. Such support would help organizers introduce more variety and reduce the financial burden of staging quality events. I also look forward to the day when we will have fully sold-out shows in Nakuru with no gate ticket sales, a move that would significantly improve security and event management.
Overall, I have to give credit to Nakuru's event organizers for the work they have done over the years. While there is still room for growth, the progress is evident. We may not be there yet, but we are gradually building an entertainment space that can compete with those in other major towns and cities across the country.