The Moth, a globally recognized nonprofit dedicated to live personal storytelling, returns to Nairobi for its seventh Mainstage event on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa’s LRC Auditorium. Hosted by Kenyan media entrepreneur and women’s rights advocate Adelle Onyango, the evening will showcase five storytellers from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, each sharing true, unscripted accounts under the theme NOW OR NEVER. The event underscores moments of decisive action amid pressing challenges facing East Africa and the broader continent.
The theme NOW OR NEVER reflects the urgency of choices made in crises, from health battles to personal transformations. This year’s lineup includes Anne Obure and Bernard Mbugua from Kenya, Ugandan HIV rights advocate Shakirah Namwanje, Nigerian artist Odun Orimolade, and Sierra Leonean educator Mahmood Bangura. Their stories intersect with critical public health and social issues, offering a lens into the lived realities of African communities. The Moth’s format—live, unscripted storytelling—aims to humanize data-driven narratives, fostering empathy through personal experience.
Shakirah Namwanje, founder of the WOMANDLA Foundation in Uganda and an HIV and sexual and reproductive health rights advocate, will share her journey of confronting an HIV diagnosis while pursuing motherhood. Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 26.3 million people living with HIV in 2024, remains a focal point for global efforts. Kenya alone reported 1.3 million HIV cases in 2024, with young people aged 10–24 accounting for nearly a third of new infections. Despite progress—Kenya reducing new infections by 75% since 2010—stigma persists, as a 2021 study found over half of Kenyans living with HIV delayed testing due to fear of social repercussions.
Bernard Mbugua, a human rights defender and EndTB campaign champion, will recount his teenage TB diagnosis and the dilemma between traditional and modern medicine. Tuberculosis, a leading infectious killer, still affects a quarter of the global burden in Africa, with Kenya classified among the 30 high TB-burden countries. While the nation reduced TB incidence by 20% and deaths by 35% between 2020 and 2024, close to a third of cases remain undetected, underscoring ongoing challenges in healthcare access.
Odun Orimolade, a Lagos-based artist and researcher, will describe an unexpected encounter with an armed robber that revealed the fragile intimacy of danger. This story resonates with rising urban violence across Africa, including Kenya, where the National Crime Research Centre noted a surge in violent crime in 2023. Analysts link this trend to economic pressures, such as rising unemployment and the cost of living, which disproportionately affect youth. A 2023 Afrobarometer survey found that 43% of Kenyan youth are unemployed, with health, economic instability, and joblessness topping their concerns.
Anne Obure, a hydrotherapist and business coach, will share a scuba-certification retreat that turned into a survivalist ordeal, highlighting resilience in the face of adversity. Her story mirrors the daily struggles of Kenyan youth, who often navigate crises without safety nets. The Moth’s emphasis on personal narratives aims to bridge the gap between statistics and lived experience, as evidenced by Stanford professor Chip Heath’s research showing that stories are more memorable than data alone.
Mahmood Bangura, a Sierra Leonean social scientist and founder of the Institute for Behavioural and Social Research, will recount becoming his niece’s guardian after a family tragedy. His account reflects a broader regional trend where extended families step in to care for children when parents cannot. SOS Children’s Villages estimates 310,000 children in Sierra Leone grow up without parental care, with stories like Bangura’s shaping their futures. The Moth’s Global Community Program has connected over 1,000 storytellers from 80 countries, including Kenya, where workshops have nurtured advocates using personal narratives to drive social change.
The Moth’s 2026 Nairobi event builds on seven years of storytelling in the city, with Onyango noting the audience’s deep engagement with “daring” stories. Sarah Austin Jenness, Executive Producer of The Moth, emphasized Kenya’s rich storytelling tradition and the event’s role in amplifying voices on maternal health, safety, and resilience. “This year’s Pan-African cast proves Kenyan audiences don’t just watch daring—they live it,” she stated, highlighting the event’s cultural significance.
Josephine Macharia, producer of The Moth, noted that none of the storytellers initially believed their experiences were worthy of a global stage. “Each had a defining moment where they had to act and couldn’t wait,” she said. The event’s five stories—ranging from HIV diagnoses to guardianship—aim to spark empathy and action, challenging audiences to reflect on their own “now or never” moments.
The Moth’s impact extends beyond the auditorium, with its Global Community Program fostering a network of storytellers who humanize complex issues. By prioritizing personal accounts over statistics, the organization seeks to mobilize communities around health, education, and social justice. Onyango reiterated that the stories shared on 7 November will “belong to all of us in that room,” emphasizing collective responsibility and connection.
Organizers stress that the event’s true power lies in its ability to transform passive listeners into active participants. As Jenness noted, “The Moth’s premise is that a true story told live can hold a room in a way statistics alone cannot.” This philosophy aligns with Kenya’s 15-year history of Moth workshops, which have cultivated a vibrant storytelling scene. The 2026 Mainstage continues this legacy, offering a platform for voices often overshadowed by data and policy debates.
The Nairobi event also highlights the intersection of individual and societal challenges. From Namwanje’s fight against HIV stigma to Bangura’s commitment to his niece’s future, the stories underscore the resilience of African communities. As the Moth prepares for its seventh edition, it reaffirms its mission to amplify narratives that challenge, inspire, and unite. On 7 November, the LRC Auditorium will become a space where personal courage meets public purpose, proving that stories remain a vital force for change.
The Moth’s 2026 Nairobi Mainstage is more than an event—it is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. By centering the human experience, it bridges divides and fosters understanding, reminding audiences that every “now or never” moment carries the potential for transformation. As the storytellers take the stage, their accounts will not only illuminate pressing issues but also ignite a collective call to action, proving that empathy, once sparked, can ripple far beyond the auditorium walls.
The event’s success hinges on its ability to connect with audiences on a visceral level. By prioritizing authenticity and emotional resonance, The Moth ensures that the stories of HIV survivors, TB patients, crime victims, and caregivers are not reduced to numbers. Instead, they become catalysts for dialogue, advocacy, and policy change. As Kenya and the broader African continent grapple with health, economic, and social challenges, the Moth’s platform offers a unique space for reflection and solidarity.
With its seventh edition, The Moth in Nairobi reaffirms its role as a cultural and social anchor. The 2026 Mainstage will not only celebrate the art of storytelling but also challenge attendees to confront their own “now or never” moments. As the event approaches, the anticipation grows for the five stories that will shape the night—and perhaps, the future of the communities they represent.
The Moth’s 2026 Nairobi Mainstage is a celebration of resilience, a call to action, and a reminder of the transformative power of personal narratives. By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, the event underscores the importance of empathy in addressing complex global challenges. As the stories unfold, they will not only entertain but also educate, inspire, and unite, proving that in the face of adversity, the human spirit remains unbreakable.
The Moth’s 2026 Nairobi event is a testament to the enduring relevance of storytelling in the digital age. In an era dominated by data and algorithms, the live, unscripted narratives of the Moth offer a refreshing counterpoint, reminding audiences of the power of human connection. As the stories of HIV, TB, crime, and family resilience take center stage, they will challenge listeners to reflect on their own lives and the choices that define them. The Moth’s legacy in Kenya continues to grow, with each Mainstage reinforcing its mission to amplify voices and foster understanding.
The Moth’s 2026 Nairobi Mainstage is more than an event—it is a movement. By centering the human experience, it challenges audiences to engage with pressing issues in a deeply personal way. As the stories of five individuals unfold, they will not only highlight the struggles of their communities but also inspire collective action. In a world often divided by statistics and data, the Moth’s live storytelling offers a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, connection, and shared humanity.
The Moth’s 2026 Nairobi Mainstage is a celebration of resilience, a call to action, and a reminder of the transformative power of personal narratives. By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, the event underscores the importance of empathy in addressing complex global challenges. As the stories unfold, they will not only entertain but also educate, inspire, and unite, proving that in the face of adversity, the human spirit remains unbreakable.