Ecofest '06 was proof postive that Nairobi/Kenya is a unique place. There is some sort of synergy of people here that produces the products shown along with the event held. I was astounded at the number of organic producers in Kenya! I mean, this is Africa, we're more concerned with just getting some food, not really what type it is? Nonetheless, organic anywhere is a good thing.
This event was sponsered by the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network who are the National Coordinating Body for organic activities. Many vendors were in attendence - farmers, solar equipment providers, enviromental organizations, art groups. One company, Natures Organics, will provide weekly home delivery Organic product such as vegatables, Fruits, Herbs, Probiotic Yogurts, cream cheese, eggs, cream, sour cream, free-range rabbit, and chicken. If interested, contact them on 0722-874172 or 0721-100001
Music was obviously the big draw for most people. Samba Mapangala, Cheche Group, Nyota Ndogo, Princess Jully, REDSAN, Suzanna Owiyo were in attendance. I think Redsan is really good, he was backed up by local rockers, The Calabash. 
Samba Mapangala was also good and the main event. For me, the Lingala music get's a bit repetitious after awhile, though. It's probably my problem as a whitey - I'm sure that it's a lot more enjoyable when one can understand the words.
Organic food supplied by the various vendors and prepared by several restaurant was promised. However, the ubiqutious Carnivore was the one and only vendor and I'm not sure they were doing the organic thing. Sure, the local thing, lots of irio, casava, sweet potato, which was cool. Also, they ran out of beer about an hour before the end. Maybe they didn't think it would be that successful.
The only other place I can think of in Africa that would hold an event like this would be South Africa. Rock on Kenya!
THANK YOU for covering this event and sharing it with us - I understand uploading takes some time + finding the right words to describe such an event. I agree, the idea of organic food is a bit odd, but then, why not? NICE! :-)
Posted by: JKE | Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 03:18 AM
I'm impressed to see Kenyans are conscious of their health "those who can afford it, that is".Great! However, I would be pleased to see such kind or rallying to feed the hungry or to find a way to make sure no one is getting hungry before we even become "organic;' just because it is the in-thing or it is organic mania gripping the world. But didn't Africans always ate organically ? Swali tu? Who was really a tartget of this campaign anyways, I can only guess LOL
Posted by: Irena | Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 03:20 AM