The streets of Nairobi CBD can be hectic during the weeks of December. As everyone rushes around, trying to finalize their preparations for the end of the year, a festival makes the streets come alive with art. Its purpose? To showcase and support the artistic genius of East Africa. This is the PAWA Festival.

Attending the PAWA Festival is like becoming immersed in another world. The diverse art-forms presented during the event are a feast for the senses. Rows and rows of visual art pieces line the street, admirers gazing at them in awe of the artist’s expertise. Live music fills the air, harmonizing with the hiss of a can of spray paint. Graffiti, which usually seems to appear out of nowhere, is created before the public eye. The abstract lines of the graffiti pulsate in time with the beat.

The art experience at PAWA Festival is not only a sensory delight, but an intellectual one as well. The paintings– some of which are painted there and then– relay powerful messages. Spoken word poets plant wisdom in the minds of their listeners. Rappers and singers alike set their observations, hopes and dreams for Kenya to rhythms that get people moving. Festival-goers leave with their souls enriched from the book readings which occur at different times within the festival.

What makes the one-day event unique is its inclusivity. People from all walks of life are invited to take part. While art galleries can sometimes be intimidating, the art on the streets beckons everyone closer. Free entry allows it to be accessible to anyone and everyone. A family corner even exists for those with younger children. Gone are the barriers that could hinder the appreciation of the rich array at PAWA Festival.

Pawa 254 began the festival in 2015 after the success of the 2013 Art in The Streets showcase. It was a smash-hit with the people who attended it; they only wanted more: more events of this kind, more artists and more time to prepare for it. The showcase then became the annual event we now know as PAWA Festival.

Pawa 254, as an organization, is dedicated to the vision of a better Kenya and the festival is a larger expression of their reason for existence. Realizing the increasing consciousness of the youth, Pawa 254 creates a space for them to express themselves in bold and unprecedented ways. to have true artistic appreciation and “artivists” throughout the country, the main organizer of the event, Njeri Mwangi hopes to see the festival spread to all counties in Kenya. How amazing would it be to have each one enjoy music, painting, food, and literature in their own special style!

Since its inception, the festival has been an added reason to look forward to December. The music line-ups, great food, friendly creatives and art-lovers make it a worthwhile experience. Or, should we say, a PAWA-ful one.