NGPU
August 24, 2023
Nakuru County hosts the 95th Kenya Music Festival State Concert
Written by Niva Kimtai
The winners of the 95th Kenya Music Festival had the privilege to perform before H.E. President Dr. William Ruto during the state concert at Nakuru State Lodge.
The aim of this music is to promote the unwavering talents, cultural activities, creativity, and innovation in the country and is in line with this year’s theme “Nurturing Talents for Innovation and National Development“
The president awarded trophies to the best winners of this year’s Music festivals.
He congratulated all the participating teams noting that he has witnessed the great talent of a country. A great display of wonderful talents, innovations, and creativity.
The head of state also highlighted that the government through the Competency-based curriculum (CBC) and Talanta Hela is committed to supporting talents to progress to the next level and tap into the future for commercialization.
Ruto commends the digitization of music and drama festivals in the country as a means of tapping more money into the field adding that the Creative Commission of Kenya will not only have a studio in Nairobi but across Kenya to explore the opportunities and talents across the country.
He asked the CS for Education Ezekiel Mochogu to consider the teachers and adjudicators of the music festivals for promotion.
In her speech, H.E. Governor Susan Kihika noted that the County Government of Nakuru recognizes the immense value of supporting and sustaining the National Music Festival and other events that provide development opportunities for our youths. Encouraging the participants with talents and interests to pursue this career pathway.
To promote music and art in Nakuru County, two weeks ago Governor Kihika commissioned a Youth Empowerment Centre at the Bondeni Social Hall in Nakuru East Sub County which features a Textile Hub, Ajiry Digital Hub, and a state-of-the-art recording studio where Nakuru residents can record music and podcasts.
Governor Kihika added that the talents emerging from the music festivals, especially those from Nakuru County, have a magnificent facility waiting to help them grow their careers.
Three schools from Nakuru County; Little Friend from Naivasha, Ngala Special School, and Sun and Shield performed and were among the National winners of this year’s music festivals.
Nakuru is one of the only recognized two Creative Cities in Africa by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Nakuru was recognized in the category of folklore and craft, a reflection of the rich folk arts of communities residing in Nakuru.
The chairman of the Kenya Music Festivals Prof. Fredrick B. J. A. Ngala highlighted that the Kenya Music Festival is the most outstanding in the continent of Africa.
Over 130,000 learners from pre-primary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions participated in this year’s edition.
The important event is a fundamental component of the Ministry of Education calendar and serves as a bridge connecting learners to their heritage while allowing them to showcase their artistic potential and talents.
The items presented featured children’s traditional singing games, traditional cultural group dances, traditional folk songs, classical and modern instrumental music, as well as elocution in vernacular languages, Kiswahili, English, German, and French among many others.
Present were the First Lady, Deputy President H. E Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries Ezekiel Machogu (Education), Ababu Namwamba (Sports) Permanent Secretaries Chairman, Kenya Music Festival, Prof. Fredrick B. J. A Ngala, Member of Parliament, Nakuru County CECMs, COs among other dignitaries.
