Where?
Samuel Hall Office, Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya
Organized by
Samuel Hall, a social enterprise that conducts research, evaluates programmes, and analyzes data in and on contexts of migration and displacement. Their mission is to inform and inspire more inclusive programmes and policies, rooted in an ethical and academically rigorous approach.
Kumbatia Afrika Peace Festival is a celebration of the transformative power of culture and art in building harmonious and peaceful societies. The festival stems from collaborations focused on amplifying refugee voices, using the power of the story to foster understanding.
Event Overview
Young people are disproportionately affected by displacement, especially in Kenya, where refugee youth face pressure to earn in a challenging job market. They encounter limited work rights, restricted movement, and stiff competition for scarce jobs. However, the digital economy offers new job creation opportunities, allowing refugees to navigate work without proper documentation. With the rise of digital platforms and the gig economy, many employment options are now borderless, creating more pathways for refugee youth.
Session 1: Digital Economy Pathways for Refugees
Focused on transforming digital skills into employment opportunities, this session explored the unique challenges faced by young refugees and highlighted opportunities for growth in the digital economy. It began with the screening of the documentary “E-Refugees: Crafting New Futures,” directed by Dr. Marie Godin. Through its portrayal of the experiences of refugees navigating the digital economy, it set the stage for a panel discussion.
Key themes discussed:
- Developing policies to support digital labor and provide protections for digital workers.
- Addressing obstacles like lack of documentation and discrimination while promoting inclusive policies for access to opportunities.
- Merging digital skills training with practical job readiness and soft skills to enhance employability.
- Ensuring continuous mentorship and creating safe spaces for women and marginalized groups in the digital economy.
Session 2: Music Industry Pathways for Refugees
This session explored dignified livelihood opportunities in the music sector and provided a platform for refugee and migrant youth to discuss their challenges, and identify entry points into the music industry in Kenya. It began with a story of an artist who used music to escape political unrest.
Key themes discussed:
- Honoring cultural traditions while welcoming new ideas to make the arts more inclusive for refugee artists.
- Developing opportunities for live performances, sponsorships, and collaborations to create sustainable career pathways for artists.
- Providing mentorship, branding assistance, and organizational backing to integrate refugee artists into local music communities.
- Creating platforms that celebrate both poetry and music while ensuring fair compensation to bridge the gap between the two art forms.
- Implementing clear contracts and fair compensation structures to protect refugee artists from exploitation.
- Providing affordable access to studios, equipment, and funding to overcome high production and marketing costs for refugee artists.
- Offering training and support for platforms like YouTube and TikTok to enable refugee artists to reach wider audiences and generate income.
- Establishing robust legal frameworks to ensure fair compensation and protection for artists in trust-based collaborations.
Speakers
Session 1:
Frida Mwangi – Executive Director, iWorkers Kenya
Stephen Mwangi – National Project Coordinator, Digital Jobs International Labour Organization
Ghislain BAHATI – Chairman for Refugee Led Organization Network (Refugee-Led
Organization Network of Kenya (RELON-Kenya)
Julius Muriuki – Client Engagement Officer, The Amahoro Coalition,
Bonnus Bright – Quality Assurance Annotator
Lisa Pfister – Research Programmes Coordinator, Samuel Hall (Moderator)
Session 2:
Joseck Asikoye – Band Leader at Jabali Africa
Muhonja Mujega – Musician
Ian Gwagi H – Director at Creative Spills Collective
Nikoye Ommeh – Spoken Word Artist


Performances
The event featured a series of performances where refugee artists shared their stories through poetry and song, providing testament to their diverse talents and personal experiences.
- K2, a Spoken Word Artist from South Sudan, using his voice to advocate for the rights of displaced communities.
- Rajab the Afisa, a Rapper and Songwriter from Burundi, blending his lyrical prowess with the realities of life as a refugee, highlighting his journey from Burundi to Kakuma Refugee Camp.
- Sarah, a Poet from South Sudan, used her poetry to express themes of resilience, identity, and hope, drawing on her personal journey as a displaced individual.
- Deo, a Singer and Songwriter from Rwanda, shared his soulful music, conveying messages of struggle and triumph, deeply rooted in his experiences as a refugee.
- Muhonja Mujega, a Musician, Cultural, and Social Activist from Burundi, performed music that addressed both cultural and social issues in African society, utilising her platform to advocate for gender equality and social justice.
- Joseck Asikoye, the Band Leader of Jabali Africa from Kenya, representing Kenyan music and his extensive work in collaborating with refugee communities.
These performances not only entertained but also gave the audience a deep sense of connection to the performers’ lived experiences, bridging cultural divides and amplifying refugee voices through art.
Moving Forward
Digital Livelihoods:
Refugees in Kenya face challenges in the digital economy due to restrictive economic rights and lack of recognition of digital identification. Governments and platforms must work to loosen these restrictions and address barriers to financial services. Promoting self-reliance and inclusion in the digital job market is crucial for enhancing refugee participation.
- Expanding Digital Learning Hubs and Career Pathways: Kumbatia Afrika, with Youth Voices Community and Africa Grassroots Media Alliance, will develop digital learning hubs and training programmes.
- Training and Mentorship for Digital Skills: Youth Voices Community’s DIGIKAZI programme will offer training and connect graduates with job opportunities.
- Leveraging Technology for Digital Exposure: Providing access to digital hardware and training on content creation will help refugees reach global markets.
- Advocacy and Policy Change: Samuel Hall will produce a podcast and brief with recommendations to address barriers in the digital economy.
Music and Spoken Word
The music and spoken word industries offer a platform for self-expression and income generation, but challenges like exploitation and high production costs need to be addressed.
- Legal Protections and Fair Practices: Essential to implement clear contracts and legal frameworks to protect artists.
- Mentorship and Training for Sustainable Careers: Providing guidance on branding, contracts, and the business side of the industry.
- Cultural Authenticity and Creative Expression: Celebrating cultural heritage and leveraging unique voices.
- Funding and Resource Support: Providing affordable access to studios, equipment, and funding.
- Promoting Collaboration and Inclusion: Building fair, trust-based collaborations between refugee artists and others.








