Sandra Chege, Head of Arts at the British Council Kenya and Director of the UK/Kenya Season and Tom Porter – Country Director, British Council Kenya and East African Cluster Lead
The British Council has officially launched the UK/Kenya Season 2025, a vibrant cross-cultural programme designed to deepen ties between Kenya and the United Kingdom through artistic and educational exchanges.
Announced in Nairobi, the Season responds to increasing demand for international collaboration across the creative sector. It aims to foster meaningful connections between artists, institutions, cultural hubs, and communities from both countries, while exploring the role of creativity in shaping societies.
The programme aligns with commitments made under the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership formed in 2020, which focuses on five pillars: mutual prosperity, security and stability, sustainable development, climate change, and people-to-people links. The Season highlights culture and education as key drivers of diplomacy, innovation, and inclusive development.
“The UK/Kenya Season 2025 is an opportunity to showcase the creative energy of both countries,” said Sandra Chege, Head of Arts at the British Council Kenya and Director of the Season. “We’ve engaged a diverse range of voices to ensure the programme creates lasting value through mutual exchange.”
The Season will feature an array of public events across Kenya and the UK, covering music, film, visual arts, architecture, design, fashion, literature, and more. A highlight is the British Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia — a first-of-its-kind UK-Kenya collaboration led by Nairobi’s Cave_bureau and UK curators Owen Hopkins and Professor Kathryn Yuso. Titled Geology of Britannic Repair, the exhibition reimagines architecture as an “earth practice” while interrogating colonial legacies in design.
In preparation for the Season, the British Council launched an Open Call in 2024, providing Catalyst Grants of up to £5,000. Nineteen collaborative projects were selected, with 11 receiving additional support for showcasing in 2025.
The Africa Centre in London, known for championing African culture and heritage for over 60 years, is delivering the UK component of the Season. CEO Olu Alake expressed enthusiasm: “The UK/Kenya Season allows us to spotlight Kenya’s vibrant arts scene, connect diasporans with their roots, and introduce UK audiences to the rich creative output emerging from Kenya.”
Beyond the arts, the programme also places strong emphasis on education. Initiatives like the Learning and Design Lab, under the UK–Kenya University Partnerships, bring together students and academics to co-create solutions for climate resilience alongside local industries.
Through themes including youth voice, technological innovation, climate action, cultural heritage, and identity, the Season seeks to spark fresh dialogue and inspire lasting cross-cultural impact.
The initiative is backed by the British High Commission in Kenya and the Kenya High Commission in the UK, reflecting a shared commitment to cultural diplomacy and development.