Kisumu’s cultural scene took centre stage as music lovers, artists and guests gathered at Attela Beach Resort for the annual Manyatta Homecoming on the lakeshore.
The gathering brought together different elements of Kisumu's cultural identity, with music, familiar flavours and community connections fulfilling the focus of the celebration. Manyatta Homecoming provided a platform for guests to share in the sounds and experiences associated with the lakeside city, while reflecting on the people and memories that shape their sense of belonging.
Organized under Manyatta Cider's Taste Like Home platform, the Homecoming explored how music and everyday experiences can bring people together. From familiar sounds that recall particular places to memories associated with family and friends, the occasion highlighted the different ways people relate to the places they call home.
The entertainment programme featured performances by Watendawili, alongside DJ sets from DJ Dimore, DJ Mawinch and DJ Dream. MC Claudia Naisabwa hosted the gathering, guiding the programme as the performers and DJs brought different musical styles to the audience.
The line-up placed Kenyan music at the heart of the occasion, with performances and DJ sessions providing a meeting point for music enthusiasts and guests. Beyond the entertainment, the programme also created opportunities for people to interact and share in an experience shaped by music and a common appreciation of local culture.
The question, "What's Your Taste of Home?" formed a central part of the gathering, inviting guests to consider the sounds, flavours, places and people that make Kisumu feel familiar. It also drew attention to how a sense of belonging can develop through ordinary encounters, shared memories and the relationships people build within their communities.
Speaking about the idea behind the gathering, Catherine Wahu, Brand Manager at Manyatta Cider, said the concept was intended to recognise the people and experiences that give individuals a connection to home.
"Home is more than a place; it is the people we share moments with, the sounds we recognise and the experiences that stay with us. Through Manyatta Homecoming, we wanted to celebrate what makes Kisumu unique while creating a space for people to connect over music, culture and shared experiences," said Wahu.
Manyatta Cider was also part of the social setting, with its crisp, refreshing taste accompanying an afternoon and evening of music and conversation. Through the Taste Like Home platform, the brand seeks to create occasions that encourage people to reconnect with familiar experiences and the relationships that make them feel at home.
The gathering also extended beyond the stage, with artist conversations and reflections from guests bringing different perspectives on Kisumu and its cultural identity. These interactions offered an opportunity to explore how residents and other guests relate to the city, including the music, people and everyday experiences through which they express their connection to it.
The Kisumu edition forms part of Manyatta Homecoming's broader effort to develop culturally relevant gatherings that bring people together while recognising the diversity of Kenyan culture. By bringing the event to the lakeside city, the initiative placed Kisumu's local identity within the wider conversation about music, community and belonging.
Ultimately, the Homecoming highlighted the idea that home is not defined by geography alone. The people, familiar sounds, shared memories, and everyday interactions that connect individuals to a place remain equally important in shaping their sense of belonging.