Preparations for the 2026 Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF) are 99 percent complete, with organisers assuring exhibitors and visitors that adequate security and measures to manage heavy rains have been put in place.
The week-long fair will be held from September 28 to October 4 at the Jamhuri Park Showground and is expected to attract more than 500 exhibitors from the agriculture, manufacturing, technology, finance, research and other sectors.
Nairobi Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Branch Chairperson Levi Mukhweso said Thursday that only final preparations were remaining ahead of the opening.
“We are about 99 percent prepared for the show,” Mukhweso said during a media briefing after inspecting the showground alongside Nairobi Deputy County Commissioner for Kibera Sub-County Victor Kamonde.
He said the fair would give visitors an opportunity to discover new agricultural technologies and innovations, while also accessing training on modern farming practices.
“The technologies being exhibited are things you don’t want to miss. There will be a lot of innovation and a lot to learn from both local and international exhibitors,” he said.
Mukhweso said organisers had introduced a family package targeting groups of between three and nine people, as part of efforts to encourage more people to attend the fair.
He said visitors attending for one day would receive a 10 percent discount, while those attending for between two and seven days would receive a 12.5 percent discount.
Visitors staying for more than one day would also enjoy free parking under the package.
The fair is expected to provide exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase their products and services, interact with potential customers and business partners, and engage policymakers and institutional buyers.
Mukhweso said the event had expanded beyond its traditional agricultural focus to include manufacturing, financial services, insurance, logistics, energy, education, research and technology.
The 2026 edition will feature exhibitions, product demonstrations and training sessions. The ASK Business Nexus and Technology Showcase will also provide opportunities for business meetings, product launches and engagements between exhibitors and institutional buyers.
Meanwhile, security agencies have completed preparations to manage crowds and respond to incidents that may occur during the event.
Kamonde said adequate security personnel would be deployed at the showground to safeguard exhibitors and visitors throughout the fair.
“We are ready for the show. We have moved around, and we assure Kenyans that we are well prepared for the big event,” he said.
He said authorities had also inspected drainage systems and water channels at the showground and ensured they were clear to allow rainwater to drain effectively in case of heavy rains.
“About the possibility of El Niño rains, we have gone round, and from what I have seen, we are ensuring all drainages and water channels are opened in case of excess rainwater during the show,” Kamonde said.
He urged Nairobi residents to avoid disaster-prone areas and exercise caution in the event of heavy rainfall.
The annual trade fair remains an important platform for businesses, farmers, researchers, innovators and government institutions to display products, share knowledge and explore new opportunities.
By Wangari Ndirangu
