The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) was pleased to be part of the return of Sondeka Festival joining creatives and audiences for a day of celebrating Kenya’s vibrant creative ecosystem. Sondeka Festival 2026 was held on 12th September at The Junction Mall in Nairobi. Organized by Creatives Garage as part of its 2026 UKKE Season Legacy Project, the festival brought together music, film, fashion, games, digital art and other forms of creative expression.
The festival featured a diverse marketplace with vendors showcasing customized merchandise, handcrafted jewellery, scented candles and other locally made products. Attendees could also experience live body art, tattoos and interactive art installations including a large handmade Mugumo tree constructed from tree bark, old electronic appliances, artificial leaves and green lights. Fashion was also a major part of the festival with models showcasing collections from several Kenyan designers and fashion houses including Kenyan Raw, Kiwa Cultured, Hisi Studio, Tausi Conde, The 24th, Maisha by Nisria, Eva Wambutu and Afrowema. The festival’s program also featured film screenings, gaming and board games while Girl Skates Nairobi and the Skateboarding Society of Kenya brought skateboarding to the Junction Mall rooftop parking.
Within this vibrant mix of creative expression and community, BAKE set up its outreach space using the festival as an opportunity to bring conversations around Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) to the creative community. This is part of BAKE’s TFGBV program, headed by Mwende Ngao, focusing on safety, care and support for survivors of TFGBV. Through the Sondeka activation, BAKE used the opportunity to engage members of the creative community on the realities of gender-based violence both online and offline.
The creative program continued with a panel featuring animator Joy, gamer Starlight and the Naiccon team who shared their experiences and perspectives on the creative economy. The day culminated in performances by Koko Koseso, Njoki Karu and Billy Black, bringing the festival to a close on a high note.
As digital platforms become increasingly important spaces for creativity, expression, networking and work, online safety is an important part of protecting the people who use them. At the BAKE booth, festival attendees were engaged in conversations around the dangers of gender-based violence including forms that can be facilitated or amplified through technology. The discussions highlighted the importance of creating safer digital spaces and ensuring that survivors have access to care and support. The outreach encouraged participants to consider the roles they can play in addressing TFGBV and supporting those affected by it.
The festival attendees were encouraged to write down personal pledges on a sheet of manila paper, committing to support survivors and help spread awareness about the dangers of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence. The pledges provided an opportunity for attendees to move beyond simply learning about the issue and reflect on the actions they can take within their own communities and digital spaces.
The conversations at Sondeka Festival reinforced the need for collective action in addressing TFGBV. BAKE’s participation at the festival formed its broader efforts to promote safer and more inclusive digital spaces while supporting the rights and wellbeing of people who use digital platforms. BAKE was represented at the festival by James Wamathai and Abigael Diana. The organization appreciates Creatives Garage for providing the space and opportunity to engage with festival attendees during the return of Sondeka Festival.
Pledges made at the BAKE station are a reminder that creating safer digital spaces is a shared responsibility. Through continued awareness, education and support, communities can play a role in challenging TFGBV and standing with survivors.