The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi successfully promoted Indonesian culinary arts and culture at the ASEAN Food Festival (AFF) 2026 at Village Market (VM) Mall

Nairobi came alive with the rich tastes and vibrant cultures of Southeast Asia as the ASEAN Food Festival 2026 attracted a diverse international crowd at Village Market.

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Led by Indonesian Ambassador Witjaksono Adji, who chairs the ASEAN Committee in Nairobi, the event showcased culinary diplomacy at its finest, boosting ASEAN’s visibility in Kenya through food, culture and shared experiences.

This year's ASEAN Food Festival 2026 also featured the Vietnamese community, who also participated. The guests who attended were not only Kenyans and Africans but also people from Europe, America, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific, who came to enjoy the various culinary specialities and cultural arts of ASEAN countries.

The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi, through the Indonesian Women Organisation, and the Indonesian Diaspora in Nairobi, organised a booth that was attended by Kenyans and other nationalities among the countries that showcased a variety of culinary specialities and traditional arts and cultural products were Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

The event was graced by Ambassador Adji, attended by the Secretary for Administration, the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage Kenya, Michael Mwangi Meru, who was representing the PS Ummi Bashir, the Philippines ambassador to Kenya Ms Marie Charlotte G. Tang, Chargé d’Affaires, Malaysia Nadiya Nazri, Chargé d’Affaires, Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi Piyaporn Putanapan, among other Diplomatic Corps, and representatives from the diaspora of the four ASEAN countries that spearheaded the event.

During his speech, Ambassador Wijaksono Adji noted that this festival is about food and culture, and the stories behind them.

"Through food, we share who we are—our traditions, our families, and how we connect with others. Every dish served today is part of everyday life in our country. Food, drink, and culture grow and develop dynamically, creating noble values in a peaceful society," said Ambassador Witjaksono Adji.

"The diversity of ASEAN countries, speaking different languages and coming from different backgrounds, yet working, developing, and sharing prosperity. This same spirit is reflected in this event—a variety of cuisines, presented with rich flavour and harmoniously coexisting," continued Ambassador Witjaksono Adji.

This festival is one of the many ways to showcase Southeast Asian countries, renowned for their culinary heritage. The event has further enhanced people-to-people ties, both for Southeast Asian and Kenyan citizens, as well as for citizens of other countries in attendance.

Michael Mwangi Meru, representing the Principal Secretary for Culture, the Arts & Heritage, echoed the same remarks, and conveyed high appreciation for the festival, and expressed Kenya's support for people-to-people contact and respect for the diversity of arts and cultures of nations worldwide. Kenya is poised to become a hub for access for ASEAN countries to East African countries, and vice versa, thus encouraging increased cooperation in various strategic areas between Kenya and ASEAN countries in the future.

The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi is committed to continuing its all-out persuasion efforts, including through the promotion of Indonesian culinary arts and culture. It also builds harmonious relationships through inclusive and beneficial means to influence public opinion, including creating positive perceptions, to achieve the interests and benefit both nations, Indonesia and Kenya.

The event's strategic location, close to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and UN-Habitat Headquarters, and open to the public, significantly contributed to the large number of visitors from various countries, with a total attendance of more than 1,000.