Barbecue festivals fire up Kenya’s hot hangouts

Agnes Mwangi grills meat during the Meat Up Fest at Naiposha Gardens in Limuru, Kiambu County on August 9, 2025.

Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group

When Meat Up Fest, a festival centred around barbecue culture, started a few years ago in Nairobi, it only attracted only 400 guests. On this cold Friday, over 1,000 meat lovers are here at Naiposha Gardens.

From perfectly charred pork ribs, paired with bourbon whisky, to savoury beef, lamb and chicken, the festival is attracting Kenyans in their 30s, 40s, and even early 50s.

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