The Mathare Dance Crew Rewriting Youth Futures

On most afternoons in Mathare North, music drifts through the air before you see where it’s coming from. Follow the rhythm and you will find a group of young people at Mathare North Social Hall dancing. Sweat on their brows, smiles on their faces, feet moving in perfect time. This is where Kuza African Sanaa comes from.

Founded in 2008 and based at Mathare, Kuza African Sanaa is a youth-led dance and magnet theatre group made up of 30 young people. For them, dance is more than entertainment; It is a way to stay focused, connected, and hopeful in a place where opportunities are few and daily survival often comes first.

In the early years, the group had energy and talent, but little else. Performances were irregular, income was unpredictable, and leadership was informal. They could draw a crowd, but once the music stopped, so did the opportunity. Dance was passion, not a livelihood.

That began to change when Kuza African Sanaa became more deeply involved in YSWs’ community outreach and youth empowerment work in Mathare. Through leadership and governance trainings, group leaders learned how to run the group better how to organize members, plan activities, manage opportunities, and hold each other accountable. They also gained skills in effective youth club management and teamwork, helping the group move from “just performers” to a well-run youth organization.

The difference was immediate. The group became more disciplined, more confident, and more professional. And people noticed.

This growth came to life during the Linda Binti Festivals and Vijana Vuka a Afya SRHR outreaches in Mathare. Kuza African Sanaa played a key role, by doing what they do best: pulling the people in with their explosive performances.As crowds formed, they were treated to messages about teenage pregnancy, consent, and sexual and reproductive health were shared. They also accessed  health services and referrals.

One nurse leading an outreach team put it simply: “once Kuza performed, people stayed.”

Beyond the festivals, the group’s visibility continued to grow. More performance requests came in, from weddings, graduations, corporate events, government functions, markets, and exhibitions. Slowly but surely, dance became an income-generating activity. Members began earning from their talent, supporting themselves and contributing to the group’s sustainability. For many groups, this was the first time their creativity had translated into steady income. The skills they had gained including discipline, leadership, teamwork, did not stop at the community level.

They carried Kuza African Sanaa onto international stages. The group went on to represent Africa at Global Village in Dubai for four consecutive seasons, the Abha Shopping Festival in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi, and Boulevard World in Riyadh. In 2025, they were selected to participate in the Social Enterprise Open Camp in Torino, Italy.

Even abroad, their role remains the same. They pull crowds into markets, exhibitions, and cultural spaces. They create energy. They hold attention. Whether in Mathare or overseas, Kuza African Sanaa know how to gather people and make them listen.

Today, Kuza African Sanaa is a source of income, a platform for youth leadership, and a trusted partner in community engagement. Plans are now underway to form a junior team, ensuring young talent is nurtured early and the journey continues.