City Learners Engage in Inter-Estate Debate Tournaments

In a spirited display of intellect and civic engagement, students from across Nairobi’s residential estates gathered for the 2025 Inter-Estate Debate Tournaments, a grassroots initiative aimed at nurturing critical thinking and public speaking among youth. The event, hosted under the Nairobi Schools Opens Debate Championships (S5-2025), brought together learners from diverse neighborhoods to tackle pressing social and political issues in a competitive yet collaborative environment.
The tournament, now in its fifth edition, featured multiple debate formats including the British Parliamentary and World Schools styles. Participants, ranging from junior secondary to senior high school students, engaged in rounds covering topics such as climate justice, digital rights, and governance. The event was powered by Calico’s Tabbycat system, which ensured transparent scoring and fair adjudication across various competition brackets—from the Main Cup to the Scholars and Development Cups. The Kenya National Debate Council (KNDC), a key partner in the initiative, provided training and adjudication support, reinforcing its mission to revitalize intellectual discourse among Kenyan youth.
The debates have drawn praise from educators, parents, and civic leaders who see the initiative as a powerful tool for youth empowerment. These tournaments are more than just competitions—they’re platforms for shaping articulate, informed citizens, said a KNDC representative. With growing interest from schools and community groups, organizers plan to expand the program to include mentorship sessions and inter-county championships. As the final rounds approach, Nairobi’s young debaters are not only vying for trophies but also proving that the future of civic leadership is already finding its voice.