Kisumu Wants to Light Up the Sky This December With Drones

Forget fireworks... The lakeside city is planning something entirely different for the festive season. And if it works, it could open doors for young tech talent across western Kenya.

KISUMU, Kenya - Picture this: the sun has set over Lake Victoria, and the usual darkness is about to be broken. Hundreds of glowing drones lift off in perfect unison, painting moving images and patterns across the night sky while crowds gather along the lakeside to watch. That's the scene Kisumu is hoping to stage before the end of the year, according to The Star Kenya.

What They Want to Do

The plan is to introduce a Kisumu drone light show as part of the Christmas and New Year festivities a first for the city. Hundreds of illuminated drones would take to the sky in carefully choreographed formations, creating images and visual displays designed to replace, or at least complement, the traditional fireworks that have long dominated celebrations.

The project is being pushed by J Spiral Techniques, a fireworks and pyrotechnics company that recently opened a branch in Kisumu. They've already tested the concept in Nairobi. Back in May 2025, the firm staged a display involving 300 drones during the unveiling of Purple Dot Tower along Mombasa Road an event described as Kenya's first public drone light show.

The Approvals Are Still Pending

Before any drone lifts off, organisers need to clear two major hurdles. They're currently in talks with the Kisumu County Government and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to secure the necessary permits and ensure the event complies with aviation and safety regulations.

Zamir Nurali, the company's branch manager and master projection artist, said the discussions are progressing well. "We are in discussions with the Kisumu County Government and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to see how we can execute a very beautiful drone show in Kisumu," he said. He added that the final scale of the production would depend on the number of drones deployed and the complexity of the aerial formations.

Why This Matters Beyond the Show

Here's where it gets interesting. This isn't just about pretty lights in the sky.

Nurali said the company intends to involve young people with an interest in aviation and engineering scouting for independent drone pilots, technicians, and engineers who can be trained to operate and maintain the equipment. The firm is collaborating with Flying Labs Kisumu to identify and train local talent, equipping youth with practical skills in drone operations, maintenance, and related technical fields.

The goal is to create a pipeline of local expertise that could support a growing Kenya drone event industry in western Kenya. That's the kind of festive tech Kenya story that doesn't get told often enough: a celebration that also builds skills.

A New Kind of Celebration

For Kisumu, the show represents more than entertainment. It's a statement that the city can host cutting-edge events, not just the traditional fireworks that have long dominated celebrations. As Nurali put it, the aim is to make drone entertainment accessible to everyone "from the ordinary mwananchi to the mama mboga and their children."

If the approvals come through, Kisumu's skies could light up with something the city has never seen before. And that's worth looking up for.