The Peace in Colour Fest, part of the Rotaract Peace Kenya Campaign, brought vibrancy and purpose at Nyayo Gardens, Nakuru, on Saturday, September 27th, 2025. Though International Day of Peace was officially marked on September 21st, this weekend celebration embraced the global theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” The event also coincided with World Tourism Day, which encouraged Kenyans to connect with nature and ease mental tension—an important step toward nurturing peaceful and resilient communities.
The event was made possible through strong partnerships, with key contributors including Art for Children Foundation (A4C), Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Kenya Red Cross, Nailepu Counseling Services, Re-Imagining New Communities, Kivu Resort, the Rotaract Club of Menengai, IPOA, and the County Government of Nakuru, among others. These collaborations highlighted the collective will to create safe, inclusive spaces where peacebuilding is tied to health, mental wellness, community resilience, and the empowerment of young people.
A highlight of the day was the Peace Talk panel, moderated by Rtr. Janet Nkirote, President of the Rotaract Club of Menengai. The discussion brought together six diverse panelists from across different fields, including the Nakuru County Government Directorate of Culture and Tourism, who explored crucial themes such as mental wellness, addiction recovery, sustainable tourism, youth empowerment, and art’s role in reconciliation.
During the panel Discussion, Kenneth Kamau (Kenn), Founder of A4C and Professional Leadership Development (PLD) Director at the Rotaract Club of Naivasha, reflected on how art serves as a tool for healing children affected by violence and called for stronger institutional and policy support for creative peacebuilding approaches. He called on insurance companies to include art therapy as part of their counselling and mental health packages and urged organizations and companies to dedicate a percentage of their CSR budgets towards grassroots art grants, ensuring sustainability of community-driven healing initiatives.
Meanwhile, the A4C booth became a hub of creativity and connection. Community members participated in free canvas painting, creating artworks that expressed their visions of peace.
The booth offered both individual and collaborative art opportunities, the latter culminating in a joint painting formally handed over to Rtr. Ephantus Mwai, Chair of the Rotaract Peace Kenya Campaign. This symbolic gesture underscored the unity of partners in reimagining a peaceful, inclusive Nakuru. By blending dialogue, creativity, and partnership, the Peace in Colour Fest left participants inspired to continue building communities where peace, mental wellness, and opportunity thrive hand in hand.
