Nakuru’s Baraza Media Lab hosts market day for creatives

As Nakuru's creative economy continues to expand, Baraza Media Lab is preparing to host its inaugural Nakuru Market Day, a three-day event designed to move beyond training workshops and create real business opportunities for artists, filmmakers, fashion designers and performers.

The event, which also marks one year since the opening of the Baraza Media Lab Nakuru hub, has been structured around the theme "Access to Market." Rather than holding a traditional anniversary celebration, the organization says it opted for an initiative that leaves a lasting impact on the local creative ecosystem.

According to Samuel Njoroge, popularly known as "Priest the Poet" and the Baraza Media Lab Nakuru Manager, the event seeks to bridge the long-standing gap between creatives and potential clients, buyers and corporate organizations.

"We didn't want to simply invite people for a celebration and have everyone leave after a few hours. We wanted to celebrate by creating impact while also showcasing the community of creatives we've been building over the past year," he says.

Njoroge explains that the idea was inspired by business expos, but with a unique twist tailored specifically for the creative industry.

"We challenged ourselves to create a creative expo where artists don't just showcase their work but actually access the market. We want creatives to pitch themselves, sell their products and connect with people who appreciate their work and have the purchasing power to support them," he adds.

Unlike conventional exhibitions, the three-day programme has been carefully segmented to allow each creative sector to receive dedicated attention while avoiding unnecessary competition for audiences.

The opening day will focus on the media and film industry, bringing together journalists, filmmakers, editors, podcasters, producers, content creators and other professionals. Besides exhibitions, participants will engage in industry conversations before wrapping up the evening with documentary and short film screenings.

The second day will spotlight the fashion and visual arts sector, featuring fashion designers, models, beadwork artists, crochet makers, painters and caricature artists. The day's activities will culminate in a fashion runway showcasing local designers' collections, alongside an auction of creative works.

Meanwhile, the final day will celebrate the performing arts, welcoming singers, actors, poets, songwriters, producers and other performers for exhibitions, networking sessions and the event's closing ceremony.

Beyond showcasing talent, Market Day is intended to address a challenge that many creatives face after attending numerous trainings and workshops turning acquired skills into sustainable income.

In preparation for the event, Baraza Media Lab has been conducting Lunch and Learn sessions, equipping creatives with practical skills such as developing professional portfolios, packaging their services and confidently pitching themselves to clients.

Njoroge adds that many creatives have spent years attending workshops, trainings and mentorship programmes, yet the biggest challenge has remained finding sustainable opportunities after the learning ends. Through Market Day, Baraza Media Lab hopes to shift the conversation from training to tangible outcomes by giving creatives direct access to audiences, potential clients and industry partners.

As the three-day event approaches, organizers are optimistic that it will not only celebrate Baraza Media Lab's first anniversary in Nakuru but also demonstrate that the county's growing creative industry can become a sustainable contributor to the local economy through stronger market linkages and meaningful collaborations.