More than 5,000 adolescent girls gathered in Kisumu for the 2026 edition of SKY FEST, reinforcing the growing influence of the SKY Girls Kenya Initiative in promoting confidence, positive decision-making and mental wellbeing among teenage girls.
Held under the theme “Peace Over Pressure #Najijua,” the festival brought together girls from over 48 schools across Kisumu and neighbouring counties for a day of mentorship, entertainment, storytelling and peer engagement aimed at encouraging healthy choices and self-belief.
The event marked the second SKY FEST edition in Kisumu and forms part of a nationwide campaign that seeks to equip girls aged between 12 and 19 years with the confidence to resist negative peer influence and make informed decisions about their futures.
The Kisumu festival follows a successful Nairobi edition held earlier this year at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which attracted more than 7,000 participants. Combined, the two events have engaged over 12,000 girls in 2026, cementing SKY FEST’s position as Kenya’s largest teen girl empowerment festival.
Participants were treated to performances and appearances by popular youth entertainers and content creators, including Tipsee Gee, TikTok personalities Collo Blue and Pricky, as well as DJs Trixy and Dimore. Organisers said all performers were nominated by girls through the programme’s co-creation model and vetted to ensure they align with SKY Girls’ safeguarding standards and values.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over the challenges facing adolescent girls, including peer pressure, identity struggles and risky behaviours. According to programme organisers, the “Peace Over Pressure” campaign is designed to help girls navigate these pressures while promoting mental wellness, self-expression and healthy lifestyles.
Speaking after the event, SKY Girls Kenya Initiative Director Svetlana Polikarpova said the rapid growth of the movement in Kisumu reflects the demand for safe and empowering spaces for young girls.
“Since launching SKY in Kisumu in 2024, it has been incredible to see how quickly girls have embraced the movement, with over 71 per cent of girls in Kisumu now knowing and interacting with SKY. This year marks our second SKY Fest in Kisumu, and we are making it bigger, bolder and even more meaningful,” she said.
She added that the festival provides a safe environment where girls can connect, celebrate sisterhood and make choices that positively shape their health, wellbeing and future.
The initiative reports significant behavioural outcomes among girls participating in its programmes, including a 62 per cent success rate in resisting peer pressure, a 54 per cent reduction in adolescent cigarette use and a 67 per cent increase in girls’ ability to stand up for themselves.
SKY Girls Kenya has also expanded its focus beyond tobacco prevention to include HIV prevention, gender equality, HPV vaccination awareness and pregnancy prevention, using entertainment, digital content, school engagement and community outreach to reach young audiences.
The programme continues to enjoy support from schools, parents and government institutions, including partnerships with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, as part of wider efforts to improve adolescent wellbeing and youth empowerment.
Since its launch in Kenya in 2020, SKY Girls has grown into a nationwide movement, reaching hundreds of thousands of girls through magazines, online content, community engagement and annual festivals designed to inspire confidence and resilience among the next generation of young women.
