Instead of regular passengers, the SGR Nairobi terminus was on Saturday turned into a theatre of talent cultivation.
Young Kenyan women took to the stage for auditions for the second season of the Sing for Africa television programme.
The auditions provided aspiring musicians with an opportunity to showcase their abilities while seeking a platform for talent development, career advancement and access to new audiences.
The programme, organised with Hunan TV International, is also being used as a platform for intercultural exchange, with organisers linking it to activities marking 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
China and African countries have designated 2026 as the Year of People-to-People Exchanges, with activities focusing on youth, culture, education and media.
The 2026 programme specifically lists the Sing for Africa music talent show among key China-Africa youth exchange events.
At the Nairobi terminus, a number of SGR employees joined other contestants.
Damaris Mutinda, a senior train operations assistant, was among those who turned up to compete.
“I know I have what it takes. I will win this one million and support my students learning Chinese language,” she said.
The competition offers contestants exposure and opportunities to develop careers through interaction with Chinese audiences.
Zhu Simeng of Hunan TV International said the second season was designed to identify and nurture young female talent from Kenya and Africa.
“This is Season 2, girls only. We do this because we want to find young talent from Kenya, Africa and help them build their career and open the China market for them,” she said.
Zhu said the first season had produced opportunities for contestants to work in China.
“In Season 1, two of the contestants are already in China, doing events and have grown a fan base there,” she said.
She said contestants had also showcased Kenyan culture in China.
“It is considered as cultural exchange. They bring Maasai shukas and accessories to showcase in China. It is wonderful,” Zhu said.
Some contestants are also preparing for cultural exchange tours in China.
“We are very excited about this because there is a lot of talent in Kenya,” she said.
Kerita Irungu of Hunan TV International said the second season was an all-women competition, following an all-male first season.
The winner will receive Sh1 million and a trip to China.
Irungu said the organisers had deliberately taken the auditions to different locations to ensure the competition reaches a wide audience.
Auditions have been held in Kibera, Mathare and the University of Nairobi, with the Nairobi Central Business District expected to host another session next month.
He said the SGR terminus was selected because it is a central meeting point for people travelling from different parts of the city and country.
“We are targeting a wide audience, people from diverse backgrounds. SGR is central. We want to cut across various platforms, but this is the melting point of transport,” Irungu said.
Winrose Wachira, CSR Coordinator, said the competition is open to all women aged 18 years and above.
“We give a chance to everyone. If you can sing, welcome,” she said.
Contestants can visit the programme website, select their preferred audition site and follow the registration process.
After the auditions, the public will play a role in determining the next stage, with the top 10 voted by the general population progressing to the top 100.
Organisers said the programme demonstrates how entertainment can create links between people while opening opportunities for young Africans.
The auditions are part of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which places youth and cultural interaction at the centre of China-Africa ties.
