The thrum of drums echoed across the eastern gate of Kenya’s Meru National Park as women in bright beadwork twirled gracefully, their skirts swishing in rhythm, while young men leapt in choreographed bursts of energy.
These were some of the high points at the recently concluded 7th Ura Gate Cultural Festival, a four-day cultural fiesta that blends tradition, conservation and community spirit of the people of the Tharaka-Nithi group in Makutano area.
Culture and Conservation
The festival, which ran from 17th to 20th September 2025, opened with Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, praising the organisers for persistently nurturing the annual event into a national attraction.
“I commend the people of Tharaka-Nithi for sustaining the festival since 2015. Counties across Kenya should market their cultural events early to attract local, regional, and international visitors,” she said.
Kenya’s former cabinet secretary of arid and semi-arid lands, Peninah Malonza, also praised participants for helping safeguard cultural legacies.
“Cultural festivals like this are not mere celebrations; they are the essence of our identity and a unifying force. They safeguard the invaluable cultural legacies of our communities and serve as reservoirs of wisdom and knowledge for younger generations,” Malonza said.
Wildlife conservation efforts
Since its inception in 2015, the Ura Gate Cultural Festival has grown into a landmark event on Kenya’s cultural calendar.
With its 2025 theme — “Embracing Culture as a Tool for Wildlife Conservation & Socio-Economic Development” — the festival highlighted how music, dance, and heritage could further drive up tourism in the area and in turn provide funds to also protect endangered species found in the locality, such as rhinos, elephants, and the rare pancake tortoise found in Tharaka-Nithi.
Visitors to the festival wandered through stalls of handwoven baskets, carved gourds, bead jewellery, and traditional fabrics, each piece telling a story of local artistry and survival. Food stalls also showcased steaming portions of millet porridge and roasted goat, inviting guests to savour the tastes of the region.
Organisers say their aspiration is to see the Ura Gate Cultural Festival leave impact by creating jobs for youth as tourist guides, rangers, and performers as the festival grows in national popularity.
