This year, Creatives Garage looks to award talented artists and innovators with input from the public via the Sondeka Awards. The awards are aimed at appreciating and encouraging local creatives.
“Over the years I’ve come to realize that creatives need some form of recognition especially in Kenya where exposure is limited to a select few. We hope the awards will change that”.
Liz Kilili, Founder and Chief Mechanic, Creatives Garage
Applicants for the competition were categorised under:
- Dance
- Alternative/Experimental music
- Poetry and Spoken word
- Traditional Art
- Digital Art
- Short Stories
- Live Bands
- Online Radio and Podcasts
A panel of judges including James Wamathai, Sylvia Gichia, Murage Gichuki and Gregg Tendwa selected the final nominees from a pool of over 130 successful applicants. The selection process was guided by criteria which included: creativity of technique and process, execution, quality of craft, innovation and the overall experience of the craft.
Here is the list of nominees:
| Category | Nominees |
| Traditional Art | Winter Oirya |
| David Maina | |
| Oscar Osumo | |
| Poets and Spoken word | Nicole Akinyi |
| Michael Onsando | |
| Mumbi Macharia | |
| Tessy Aura | |
| Stori za Kapedo | |
| Digital Art | Wanjiru Thiong’o |
| Feysal Anthony Nair | |
| Anne Gichuki | |
| Alternative/Experimental music | Steve Biko/ G-cho Pevu |
| Abakisimba Troupe | |
| Ayrosh N/A | |
| L.O.T Group | |
| Linda Girl Group | |
| Short Stories | Mark Maish |
| James Gicheru | |
| Mishi Khalid | |
| Lolyne Ongeri | |
| Mwihaki Muraguri | |
| Dance | Bboy Harry |
| Dancing Biochemist | |
| Oneal Otutu | |
| Live Bands | Maia Von Lekow |
| Tetu Shani | |
| Grand Master Masese | |
| Online radio and Podcasts | Omenerds Podcast |
| Sasabasi live | |
| 123sketches |
Voting started on 14th March 2018 and ends on 24th March 2018. To vote head over to sondeka.org. Voters must select a nominee from each category and may vote once a day for the next ten days.
Creatives Garage is a cultural organization and hub for artists and innovators that provides a platform for creative expression, networking and peer engagement. Creatives Garage through its brand, Sondeka Festival, has showcased and highlighted the talent that Kenya has to offer. Sondeka Awards now aims to provide an avenue for appreciation of these talented artists and innovators.