More than 7000 adolescent girls gathered at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday, May 23rd, for the Nairobi edition of SKY FEST 2026, as SKY Girls Kenya continued to strengthen one of the country’s largest movements championing confidence, self-worth, and positive decision-making among teenage girls.
Held under this year’s theme, “Peace Over Pressure #Najijua,” the festival encouraged girls to choose calm confidence and self-belief over negative peer influence and societal pressure. The campaign forms part of SKY Girls Kenya’s broader national movement promoting healthy choices, self-expression, and future-focused decision-making among girls aged 12–19 years.
The event brought together girls from more than 45 schools across Nairobi and surrounding areas for a day of music, mentorship, entertainment, storytelling, and peer connection designed to reinforce positive behaviours and build confidence in a safe and relatable environment.
This year’s festival featured performances and appearances from some of Kenya’s most influential youth entertainers and creators, including Azeezah Hashim, Njerae, DJ Bee, DJ Ader, and Mr. Tee. All performers featured at SKY FEST are selected through SKY Girls Kenya’s co-creation model, where girls themselves nominate the personalities they connect with most. Each performer is then vetted against SKY’s safeguarding and conduct standards to ensure alignment with the initiative’s values and message.
Research continues to show that adolescent girls face growing pressure around identity, relationships, and risky behaviours, with peer pressure identified as a major driver of early sexual debut and tobacco uptake. SKY Girls Kenya’s “Peace Over Pressure” campaign directly addresses this reality by equipping girls with the confidence and support systems they need to make informed choices and protect their futures.
What began in Kenya in 2020 as a girl empowerment and tobacco prevention initiative has evolved into a nationwide youth movement using entertainment, storytelling, magazines, digital content, school engagement, and safe community spaces to address issues affecting adolescent girls, including confidence building, pregnancy prevention, tobacco prevention, HPV vaccination awareness, HIV prevention, and gender equality.
Speaking after the event, Svetlana Polikarpova, Director of SKY Girls Kenya Initiative, said the continued growth of SKY FEST reflects the increasing need for safe, empowering spaces where girls can feel seen, supported, and inspired.
“SKY Fest is important because it creates something many adolescent girls need: a safe, joyful space to connect with their peers and feel part of a wider sisterhood. This year at our 5th SKY Fest, we are proud to continue running Kenya’s largest teen girl empowerment festival. Beyond the music, performances, and fun, SKY Fest is designed to help girls learn, reflect, and commit to positive choices around their bodies, health, and future. It is a day that reminds them that they have the power to choose their peace, their confidence, and their own path over any external pressure.”
SKY Girls Kenya’s impact continues to be reflected through measurable behaviour change outcomes among girls engaged through the programme:
- 62% of SKY Girls confidently resist peer pressure
- A 54% decrease in adolescent cigarette usage
- A 67% increase in girls’ ability to stand up for themselves
In 2025 alone, SKY Girls Kenya reached nearly 10,000 girls across Nairobi and Kisumu through SKY FEST, with 2026 expected to surpass previous participation levels. The initiative continues to build trust among parents, schools, and communities, with over 45 schools in Nairobi and 38 schools in Kisumu committing to participate in this year’s edition.
The Kisumu edition of SKY FEST, scheduled for June 13th, is expected to attract more than 5,000 girls, bringing the total number of girls reached through SKY FEST 2026 to over 12,000 nationwide.
SKY Girls Kenya also maintains active partnerships with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, supporting broader national efforts around adolescent wellbeing, psychosocial support, and youth empowerment.
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