“Dear Dan,
As one of the stakeholders shaping Nairobi’s public space ecosystem, we are pleased to invite you to the validation workshop for the just concluded Citywide Inventory of Open Public Spaces. The workshop will be held at the UN complex, Gigiri. Attached please find the official invitation letter.”
Beside our presentation, we published a statement from Leo Kilel (, one of the founders and former chairman of the Skateboarding Society of Kenya): “Kenya is a country made up of 42 different tribes; there has been a history of tribal conflicts among the different tribes which has resulted in the loss of lives because of fighting between the tribes. Our politics over the years have been built on tribal groupings which have affected many aspects of our country. Most people would vote into government a politician from their tribe so in turn when he succeeds into office they would be guaranteed jobs and other benefits, this has led the various tribes to treat each other with suspicion and hidden hate.
When we formed the Skateboarding Society of Kenya we had no intention of tackling this huge social issue we just wanted to skate and enjoy the fun we get from it, but as we’ve progressed we have realized that through our skateboarding this hatred between the tribes has been greatly reversed because our members are from very different tribal backgrounds yet while we session together we have managed to create deep and real friendships among ourselves, this has created a unity among us the youth who skateboard and as our number continues to grow we are transforming a generation for the good of our country and creating a more united country for future generations in Kenya.
The parents say they feel a sense of security when their children attend our sessions on weekends instead of following other young people in criminal gangs. Our members say that skateboarding has given them a new family where they are accepted, appreciated and allowed to express themselves unconditionally. It has given them a sense of belonging. Generally they have become happier young people and boredom to them is a thing of the past before they knew the joy of skateboarding.
Our country has gained a new, positive and healthy activity. Our journey as the Skateboarding Society of Kenya is long and tough but as we keep skating we know somehow we will achieve our objectives to help Africa become a better place for the coming future generations.”
