In 2019, we partnered with poets from around the country for a project titled Unsung Heroes. Unsung heroes is a spoken word series about our security forces. It highlights their sacrifices, struggles and successes as they endeavour to protect our country. The spoken word series is geared towards recognizing their commitment and sacrifices for Kenyans to be safe. 

We had the chance to sit down and have a chat with Saumu Kombo an all-round creative who performed in the series.  Saumu Kombo is not only a poet but a script, songwriter and an actor. Here she shares with us how she went from studying Education in University to being a multi-talented poet. 

Tell us a bit about yourself? 

I am a multi hyphenated artist, I write poetry, stage plays, screenplays, music. I’m an actor as well and I play piano. I studied Education at Kenyatta University but decided to pursue art as a full time career. In my free time I love books, watching movies, and travelling.

How long have you been a poet and how did you start out? 

I have been a poet for close to four years now. I started out by writing poems for schools during the Kenya Music festivals.  Some schools I wrote for were St. Cecilia Nangina ,State House girls and Chuka girls just to name a few.

When I first started it just came naturally to me. I didn't have a hard time writing. Once I'd  structured what I was feeling, the words just flowed. I also studied a lot of spoken word artists on YouTube, in terms of writing and delivery.

You wrote a poem for Unsung Heroes. What was it about and what inspired you to write it? 

Appreciating women in the security forces.  Their sacrifice and the fact that people barely notice, inspired me to write the poem. 

What was your experience working with Foxton media? 

I liked the experience. Looking forward to more collaboration projects with them.

What are three pieces of advice for creatives who are just starting out and want to break into the world of poetry? 

Study a lot of established poets. Find your niche (the topics that speak to your heart the most). Read a lot of books to improve your style and vocabulary range.

I would also advise them to write for themselves and for the people they care about, write from the heart and don’t tbe impatient, a star isn’t made in a day.

Watch Saumu’s poem titled “Thank you” Here 

You can follow Saumu on Facebook at Kombo Saumu 

Instgram: Voice.e_ 

Twitter:KomboSaumu1