HUNDREDS OF KENYAN GAMERS CONVERGE AT OTAMATSURI GAMING CONVENTION

Hundreds of passionate gamers from across Kenya converged on the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Saturday, August 23 for the 2025 Otamatsuri Gaming Convention. 

The iconic venue was buzzing with an incredible energy as players of all levels came together to compete, connect, and celebrate their shared love for gaming in a dynamic and immersive environment.

Safaricom powered the entire event with its high-speed 5G network. This provided attendees with the low latency and rock-solid reliability essential for both intense competitive matches and vibrant social gaming interactions.

“We are proud to partner with Otamatsuri to power this year’s convention with our 5G network. This is not just about showcasing speed and reliability, it is about enabling experiences, connecting communities, and supporting the growth of gaming culture in Kenya,” said Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC.

The convention was a vibrant celebration of modern pop culture, featuring everything from movies and anime to music, tech innovations, creative cosplay, live performances, and unique merchandise stalls. “The turnout this year has been incredible, with an overwhelming number of gamers joining us to experience the event and showcase their talent. I would like to thank our key sponsors, especially Safaricom, for their strong support in powering this event with 5G.

The speed and stability of their network has been a game-changer for our competitors. We are optimistic about growing this convention to even greater heights in the coming year,” said Jotham Micah, the event’s organizer.

The highlight of the event was a Local Area Network (LAN) Party, an all-night gaming marathon where participants brought their own setups, connected via a lightning-fast local network, and engaged in non-stop head-to-head competition. Blending the intensity of a tournament with the vibe of a festival, the LAN featured thrilling matchups across popular genres like shooters, strategy games, and sports simulators. Driven by adrenaline and a passion to win, gamers played through the night chasing prizes, prestige, and the glory of the community.

Otamatsuri, an annual anime, manga, and multi-entertainment convention, has become one of the most vibrant pop culture festivals in Kenya, attracting a youthful and dynamic fanbase. Beyond gaming, the event celebrates diverse aspects of pop culture including movies, TV shows, music, technology, cosplay, performances, and merchandise exhibitions.

Murray Lidambiza, a gamer with twenty years of experience, shared his perspective on this journey, “I started gaming 20 years ago and seeing how the community has grown is incredible. Events like this show how far we have come. Reliable network connectivity is at the heart of gaming, and providers like Safaricom have been instrumental in making gaming and e-sports possible in Kenya. Without strong internet, we simply can’t game.”

With hundreds in attendance, a buzzing atmosphere, and Safaricom’s 5G network connectivity at its core, the 2025 Otamatsuri Gaming Convention reaffirmed its position as one of Kenya’s biggest gaming and pop culture events.