Sarakasi Trust has officially launched the inaugural Sarakasi Rising Stars Dance Competition, a first-of-its-kind annual community dance competition aimed at discovering, nurturing, and celebrating Kenya's next generation of dance talent.
The first edition of the competition will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Sarakasi Dome in Ngara, bringing together talented children's dance groups aged 6 to 15 years for a vibrant showcase of creativity, culture, and artistic excellence.
For more than two decades, Sarakasi Trust has remained at the forefront of Kenya's performing arts sector, transforming the lives of thousands of young people through dance, acrobatics, music, theatre, and creative education. Through professional artistic training, mentorship, and community outreach programmes, the organisation has equipped young people with life skills, confidence, and opportunities to pursue sustainable careers within the creative economy.
The Sarakasi Rising Stars competition builds on this legacy by creating a platform where emerging talent can be identified early, mentored, and given opportunities to thrive.
Participation in the competition is completely free, ensuring that talented children from all social and economic backgrounds have an equal opportunity to showcase their abilities without financial barriers.
The competition will feature dance groups consisting of six to ten members, with performances judged on creativity, choreography, originality, teamwork, stage presence, musicality, and technical execution. Beyond competing for top honours, participants will benefit from mentorship sessions and professional guidance from experienced choreographers and industry practitioners.
This year's event is being organised in collaboration with Aggie the Dance Queen, one of Kenya's most influential dance personalities, whose strong connection with grassroots dance communities and extensive social media reach will help inspire and mobilise young dancers from across the country.
Participants will also receive mentorship from Sarakasi's acclaimed in-house choreographers, Edu the Coach and Oscar the Choreographer, who collectively bring more than 15 years of experience in dance, choreography, and talent development.
Speaking during the launch, Lilian Mwari, Managing Director of Sarakasi Trust, said:
"Kenya is home to extraordinary young talent, yet many gifted children never receive the opportunity to perform on a professional stage or access quality mentorship. Sarakasi Rising Stars is our commitment to ensuring that every child with passion and talent has an opportunity to shine, regardless of their background. We are not simply organising a competition—we are building the future of Kenya's creative industry."
The organisers expect hundreds of young dancers representing schools, community-based dance groups, and youth organisations from across Nairobi and neighbouring counties to participate.
Families, educators, corporate organisations, development partners, and members of the public are encouraged to attend and support the young performers.
Sarakasi Trust is also inviting corporate organisations, sponsors, and development partners to support the initiative. Sponsorship opportunities include event production, prizes, participant welfare, refreshments, costumes, logistics, and media coverage. Partners will benefit from extensive brand visibility, meaningful community engagement, and association with a youth empowerment programme that promotes creativity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
As Sarakasi Rising Stars prepares to become an annual national platform for emerging dancers, the competition represents a significant investment in Kenya's creative and cultural industries by providing young performers with the exposure, mentorship, confidence, and opportunities needed to build successful careers through the arts.
Event Details
Event: Sarakasi Rising Stars Dance Competition 2026
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Venue: Sarakasi Dome, Ngara, Nairobi
Participants: Dance groups comprising 6–10 children aged 6–15 years
Entry Fee: Free
