The Nairobi SGR Terminus transformed into a stage for musical aspirations on Saturday as over 100 women participated in auditions for the second season of 'Sing for Africa,' a competition offering a Sh1 million prize, a trip to China, and a fully sponsored recording deal. The event, organized by Hunan TV International, marks the first all-female edition of the program, following a 2023 season that featured male contestants. The auditions, held at the terminus—a hub for commuters and travelers—replaced the usual train sounds with the voices of aspiring artists and the applause of onlookers.
Zhu Simeng, an organizer from Hunan TV International, emphasized the competition’s dual purpose: discovering talent and fostering career development. 'Season two is for girls only. Last year we did season one, which was a boys-only season. We want to find more young musical talent from Kenya and all over Africa, and we want to help them build their careers and also help them access the Chinese market,' she stated. The initiative aligns with the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, aiming to strengthen cultural and economic ties through the arts.
The first season’s participants already demonstrated the program’s impact. Two male contestants from the inaugural event traveled to China, appearing on television programs and music festivals, where they gained a following and promoted Kenyan culture, including Maasai attire. Zhu highlighted that the second season will continue this exchange, helping contestants transition from competition to professional careers. 'We are not only a cultural exchange event. After the event finishes, we will help the talents to build their careers and help them enter the industry,' she said.
Auditions for Season 2 have already taken place in Kibera, Embu, the University of Nairobi, and the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute, with the next round scheduled at Central Point in Nairobi’s CBD. Kerita Irungu, a journalist with Hunan TV International, explained the strategy: 'We are trying to reach a wide audience and give people from different economic and social backgrounds an opportunity to participate. That is why we are taking the auditions to different locations.' The SGR Terminus, chosen for its accessibility, serves as a central meeting point for diverse communities.
AFRISTAR, operator of the Standard Gauge Railway, supports the competition through its corporate social responsibility program. Winrose Wachira, AFRISTAR’s CSR Coordinator, stated, 'At AFRISTAR, we strongly believe in supporting talent. We believe there is more to a person than what they achieve in the classroom or where they work. Talent is a very important aspect of a person’s life, especially music.' The railway company’s involvement underscores the event’s role in community development.
Participants like Damaris Mutinda, a Senior Train Operations Assistant, and Nigerian student Itohan Thomson highlighted the personal and professional opportunities the competition offers. Mutinda, who discovered her singing confidence through church performances, plans to use the prize to support Chinese language students. Thomson, who learned about the event weeks before the audition, emphasized the value of the experience: 'Whether I win or not is not the most important thing. The fact that I get an opportunity to sing and share my talent is what matters to me.' The competition’s organizers reiterated its goal: to empower individuals to realize their full potential through music and global exposure.
The event’s structure includes preliminary auditions, a Top 100 selection, professional judging, and public voting. Finalists will gain international exposure, with the winner receiving a comprehensive package to launch their career. The initiative reflects a broader effort to leverage the arts as a tool for cultural diplomacy and economic empowerment in Kenya and beyond.