The 98th edition of the Kenya Music Festival regional competitions for the Northeastern region officially kicked off in Wajir County, bringing together students, teachers, adjudicators and education officials from Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir counties.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Regional Chairperson of the Kenya Music Festival and also the Principal of Raha Girls Secondary School, Deka Mohamud, said the event aims to promote peaceful coexistence, unity and cultural understanding among learners through music and drama.
“I congratulate all the teams that made it to the regional level from our three counties. This festival is more than a competition it is a platform for talent development and growth,” she said.
Mohamud emphasized the importance of fairness in the adjudication process, noting the significant investment schools have made in preparing for the event.
The chairperson urged participants to align their performances with the theme, ‘Enhancing Creative Economy Through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development.’
“We are proud to host this year’s regional event in Wajir. Music is a powerful tool for social and economic transformation, and we expect this platform to showcase the best of Northeastern Kenya,” she said.
The acting Chairperson of the Primary Schools Music Committee, Ahmed Abdi, also addressed the gathering, thanking festival organizers and participants.
“Our adjudicators are individuals of high integrity and professionalism. We trust them to identify the most deserving teams,” said Abdi.
He reminded patrons to maintain silence during performances to allow the judges to follow the presentations without interruption.
Regional Director of Education, County Directors, Ministry officials and other dignitaries graced the colorful event, which marks a key milestone in promoting arts and culture in the region.
By Hamdi Buthul
