Nairobi:The Moth, an esteemed nonprofit organization dedicated to live personal storytelling, is making its return to Nairobi on Saturday, 7 November 2026, for its seventh Mainstage event. The event will take place at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa’s LRC Auditorium and will be hosted by Kenyan media entrepreneur and women’s rights advocate Adelle Onyango.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event will feature five storytellers from different countries, including Anne Obure and Bernard Mbugua from Kenya, Shakirah Namwanje from Uganda, Odun Orimolade from Nigeria, and Mahmood Bangura from Sierra Leone. These individuals will share true, personal stories live without using notes.
The theme of this year’s event is “NOW OR NEVER,” focusing on stories of taking chances and decisive moments. Each storyteller will present narratives that highlight moments when action could no longer be delayed, reflecting the challenges and realities faced by many in Kenya and across Africa.
One of the featured stories will come from Shakirah Namwanje, who will discuss her experience with an HIV diagnosis and her determination to become a mother. This story is set against the backdrop of sub-Saharan Africa’s significant HIV statistics, with an estimated 26.3 million people living with HIV in the region in 2024.
Bernard Mbugua will share his encounter with a TB diagnosis as a teenager and the choice between traditional spiritual methods and modern medicine. Tuberculosis remains a major health challenge in Africa, and Kenya continues to battle this epidemic with ongoing efforts to reduce its incidence.
Odun Orimolade will recount an unexpected encounter with an armed robber, exploring the unique dynamics of danger. Anne Obure will talk about a scuba-certification retreat that turned into an exercise in survival, highlighting the theme’s broader interpretation beyond crises to include perseverance.
Mahmood Bangura will narrate his journey of becoming a guardian to his niece after a family loss, emphasizing the important role of extended families in Sierra Leone, where many children grow up without parents.
The Moth’s approach, which relies on the power of storytelling to foster empathy and action, has proven effective in engaging audiences worldwide. This year’s Nairobi Mainstage aims to continue this tradition by presenting powerful stories that resonate deeply with listeners and prompt meaningful responses.
