Every applause resonated through the auditorium as the kingship was passed on. Dominion, the 66th Grand Slam Poetry Champion—how did it feel to have all the admiration and applause directed at him?
By Amanda Nechesa
The day was Sunday, January 26, 2025. The time was around 7 PM, and the venue was The Kenya National Theatre. Heavy rain had poured earlier that evening. Nairobi was wrapped in jackets and shivers, but inside the KNT auditorium, where hundreds of poets, poetry enthusiasts, writers, and creatives sat, no one could feel the cold. Only the tension in the room.
On stage stood four people—the MCs of the Grand Poetry Slam Africa, Njeri Wa Migwi and Wilson Uba, alongside the two finalists: Dominion and NIT.A.P. This was not just the D-day but the D-second. The judges had made their decision. The crowd held its breath. Of the two poets, one would be crowned the 66th Grand Slam Champion, while the other would be the runner-up. The answer lay in the piece of paper that Njeri Wa Migwi clutched in her hand, teasing the crowd’s anxiety.
When she finally announced NIT.A.P as the first runner-up and Dominion as the winner of the Grand Poetry Slam competition, the excitement was electric. Cheers erupted, people stood and clapped, while others—supporters of NIT.A.P—resigned to their seats. On stage, NIT.A.P and Dominion shared a warm, long hug, a testament that even in competition, the brotherhood of poetry remained unshaken.
Shortly after, the 65th Slam King, Slim Shaka, danced his way onto the stage to crown Dominion with the championship trophy. Every applause resonated through the auditorium as the kingship was passed on. Dominion, the 66th Grand Slam Poetry Champion—how did it feel to have all the admiration and applause directed at him?
Dominion receives his dummy cheque after being crowned the 66th Grand Slam Champion. /AMANDA NECHESA
“It was unreal. Man, that moment felt like time folded in on itself,” he said. “Honestly, it’s still sinking in. Being a Grand Slam Champion has always been a dream of mine, and seeing it come true is a true blessing. It was surreal, like stepping into a prophecy I didn’t even know was written for me.
I feel like the world shared with me in witnessing the result of years of dedication to the craft. Winning the Grand Slam isn’t just a personal victory; it’s a torch passed by the poets before me, a responsibility to amplify voices beyond my own. I am truly humbled and exhilarated for the World Slam Championship. I’m honoured, I’m ready, and I’m bringing the fire.”
For Dominion, who hails from Eldoret, poetry wasn’t a grand revelation but a slow burn. He fell in love with words at fourteen but grasped the concept of poetry at sixteen when he watched the writer and performer Mufasa on KTN’s gospel show. Dominion marvelled at how someone could craft words so beautifully. Inspired, he wrote his first original piece in high school. From that moment, writing became his way of making sense of the world. When he stepped onto the stage, the mic felt like home.
Years later, in 2025, he emerged as the winner of the Grand Slam 2024-25, which was the culmination of three preliminary editions, each pitting ten poets against each other for the 66th Slam Africa crown. As the champion, Dominion first received the honour of being crowned king, followed by a grand prize of KSH 100,000. Additionally, he will represent Kenya on the global Slam Stage in Mexico.
“This is all truly humbling,” he said. “The 17-year-old me would never have imagined himself in a position like this. This is a chance to show the world that there’s more in the melanin of our skin than they might have thought. It feels like carrying a whole continent in my chest.
Kenyan poetry is raw, rhythmic, and rebellious. We tell stories with the weight of history and the urgency of now. Representing Kenya isn’t just about my voice; it’s about reminding the globe that African poetry has always been here, that spoken word is just another name for the oral traditions we’ve perfected for centuries. And trust me, I plan to make them listen.”
Where does Dominion draw his expressiveness from? According to him, Kenya’s spoken-word community is composed of incredibly gifted individuals who push boundaries and inspire him. Mufasa, Gufy, Mbunge, Dorphanage, Winnie Madoro, and Black Chakra are just a few poets whose work drives them to go beyond limits. This inspiration applies not only to writing but also to performing, producing shows, releasing content, and tackling controversial issues.
“Kenya’s spoken-word community is beautiful because it’s hungry. The talent here is insane, but the industry is still growing. That hunger pushes me. It makes me want to elevate the game—to build a scene where poets aren’t just heard but valued,” he said.
When it comes to writing, Dominion writes about the world and for the world. He pours his soul into his words, but they are not just for him alone. He believes poetry is a bridge, a way to connect his world to others. For him, balancing authenticity and relatability means speaking his truth in a way that helps others see it. He does not dilute his identity to be understood; instead, he invites people into his world through rhythm, storytelling, and emotion. His mantra: a powerful poem doesn’t need translation—it just hits.
As the 66th Grand Slam champion, Dominion must also consider the legacy he wants to leave behind. His vision is to create spaces where poetry isn’t just an underground hustle but a recognized art form. He is currently working on a book, a mix of poetry and personal reflections. Additionally, he aims to mentor young poets, hold workshops, and start a poetry collective to bring spoken word to schools and communities that need it most. Above all, he wants his poetry to outlive him.
“I hope my poetry brings healing to broken people,” he concluded. “I hope it tells them that we are in this together. I understand. Eventually, I hope these lines spark a transformation. Not just in a political way, but a revolution of the body, mind, and soul. I hope they see God in these lines.”
To that, we have nothing more to say but: ALL HAIL THE 66TH GRAND POETRY SLAM KING! May his reign be bountiful and beautiful.
