From the way people navigate life, find joy in the smallest moments, and turn struggles into symbols of identity is an ongoing artistic expression. Mr. & Miss Kibera 2025, a youth-driven cultural pageant show organized by Amani Kibera as part of its 20th anniversary and the celebration of International Youth Day 2025, themed “Youth Driving Change for Peace and Democracy.” The pageant has, for two decades, provided young people in Kibera with a platform for leadership, visibility, and advocacy. Documenting Mr. & Miss Kibera means documenting grassroots creative initiatives within Kenya’s broader creative economy, highlighting both their transformative potential and the systemic barriers that constrain their growth.
Beyond its reputation as one of Africa’s largest informal settlements, Kibera is a living masterpiece presented through resilience, creativity, and the ability to turn challenges into expressions of life.Over the years, Mr & Miss Kibera has acts as a grassroots cultural incubator, providing youth with access to visibility, mentorship, and community-driven change. Many winners transition into roles as youth ambassadors in fields such as gender equity, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and creative entrepreneurship, reflecting how cultural platforms can advance democratic participation and social advocacy.
Having lived here, observing, and immersing myself in this community shaped my understanding of social dynamics, behaviors and lived experiences. Some days, time feels too short to capture it all; other days, what feels like enough time turns into a lifetime of learning. What remains constant is the necessity of having a guiding vision—one that allows me to honor every moment and document these stories with depth and authenticity.
