The Tusker Oktobafest 2025 launch on Thursday, 25 September, was more than a mere announcement; it was a full-blown prelude to a nationwide celebration. That night at the Tusker Brew House was pure fireworks and a marvel at the diverse sector players who convened to celebrate and share the Oktobafest journey as it is unveiled to citizens from 4 October.
The convening brought together media, influencers, performers, and beer lovers. The air pulsed with excitement and musical beats, a taste of the indulgence to come.
With this launch of the 2025 Oktobafest, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has officially ushered in the sixth edition of its flagship beer festival, this time promising not just one grand event, but many moments across the country.
Past editions of Oktobafest were centralized spectacles in Nairobi, something that has been built upon to foresee the new development that promises fans a great celebration intertwined with connections and networking countrywide.
According to Marketing Manager Mark Mugisha, the move undertaken this year of spreading the celebration nationwide captures the spirit perfectly embedded in KBL. He pointed out that over the six years of providing a platform to celebrate Kenyan beer and culture, they have built a phenomenal property with Oktobafest.
He revealed that even as the brand evolves and the format varies to meet the needs of the consumers, their commitment to celebrating how fans get to do beer and culture remains unwavering.
Marketing Manager Mark Mugisha
“This year, we are taking the festival to our consumers, allowing us to truly meet them where they are and deepen our social and economic impact across the country,” said Mugisha.
This time around, the brand is taking a bold leap: a deconstructed format that brings the essence of the festival to cities and towns around the country, with fans assured of great performances from renowned artists and DJs.
The business logic got its spotlight too, as the Acting Commercial Director Edward Kimathi explained the deeper strategy, giving insights on what the fans can anticipate as the festival is unleashed in a week.
Kimathi opined that this year’s deconstructed approach is about creating richer, more authentic experiences that resonate with the consumers, enabling more opportunities to open up the value chain to a wider network of local service providers and talent.
“As a proud Kenyan brand, KBL remains committed to growing and supporting the local economy,” said Edward.
Where & When to Raise Your Glass
Here’s how this Oktobafest roadshow shakes out:
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Nairobi (“Kulture” Edition): 4 October, Carnivore Grounds — a nostalgic throwback to 2000s Kenyan music.
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Rift Edition: 11 October, Tamasha, Eldoret
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Coast Edition: 18 October, New Big Tree, Bamburi
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Lake Edition: 25 October, Atella Beach Resort, Kisumu
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Mountain Edition: 1 November, The Stinger Lounge, Nanyuki
Beyond the main festivals, Oktobafest assures fans and consumers of over 200 smaller activations in pubs, bars, and clubs, which will bring the spirit of the festival not only closer but also enable fans to win merchandise and gifts at their daily spots.
Speaking of gifts and merchandise, yes, fans will get deals that entail flash sales and special offers on Tusker’s portfolio (lagers, stouts, ciders, malts) that will roll out via ke.thebar.com and partner e-commerce platforms.
Annstellah and DJ Lisney turn up the party during the launch of the 6th Edition of the Tusker Oktobafest at the Tusker Brew House on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Why This Matters (Beyond the Beer)
This isn’t just party time; rather, it’s a well-built strategy that envisions more gains through trickling down the impact to more citizens as opposed to focusing on Nairobi alone.
Through the decentralization of the festival, it’s apparent that KBL isn’t just aiming for reach; they’re also building deeper roots. This is attributed to the fusion of more local gigs and more local talent, stretching to create greater economic impact.
In other words: “locals don’t just watch; locals are part of the show.”
Hence, with leaders like Mugisha and Kimathi setting the tone, it’s clear that Tusker Oktobafest isn’t just about pouring pints; it’s about pouring into Kenya’s culture and economy too.
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