This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
On a Saturday, a group of graffiti artists came together to give Nairobi a fresh new look.
With over 40 artists participating, the city's public spaces were reimagined, resulting in breathtaking works of art.
The initiative, dubbed #MyMarkMyCity, aimed to make Nairobi a more enjoyable place for residents and visitors alike.
Organized by Kenyan poet Mufasa (Ken Kibet), the event sought to beautify the city's streets by incorporating culturally relevant artwork into everyday objects such as garbage bins, flower pots, and pedestrian crossings.
According to Mufasa, the goal was to reclaim Nairobi as a city where people can enjoy their public spaces, take pride in keeping it clean, and make it a better place to live.
As Mufasa explained, 'To have a better city for people to enjoy their public spaces; People to enjoy walking in the city. To make people care about the city when it comes to making it clean.'
Collaborating with the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, the artists aimed to create sustainable solutions to the climate crisis and transform city life worldwide.
As Ian, a creative director and event manager, noted, 'The whole point of this exercise is to get the inhabitants of this city to take up ownership of their own city.'
With the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals in mind, the artists sought to create a clear vision of cities and human settlements of the future – inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
