As the 97th edition of the Kenya Music Festivals comes towards its tail end, audiences who turned up for the event held at Meru Teachers’ College, Meru School, and Kaaga Girls were treated to enjoyable moments as they sampled some of the best rhythms and dances from all the corners of the country.
Charming melodies of harmonic voices and the graceful swirls of traditional and foreign dances painted a vibrant picture of Kenya’s creative spirit and diversity.
This year’s Kenya Music Festivals gala marked a turning point in how the nation views education, talent, and the boundless possibilities of its youth.
Gracing the colorful event, Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Migos Ogamba spoke with enthusiasm as he addressed the crowd of students, teachers, and invited guests.
To him, the performances on display were more than entertainment, being evidence of a system working and thorough preparations on the part of the participants.
“These festivals align seamlessly with our Competency-Based Education (CBE) model,” he noted. “They provide learners the opportunity to identify and develop their unique talents. What we have witnessed here today, from music and dance to poetry and drama, tells us we are sitting on a wealth of unexploited talent. It is our duty to harness it.”
During the gala, there was a display of diversity and discipline with students from across the country, some as young as ten, showcasing traditional Luo dances, Swahili taarab songs, and even contemporary spoken word poetry with themes ranging from climate change to national unity.
But perhaps the most surprising moment came from Kianda School’s unique presentation with a delicate and precise performance of a traditional Chinese umbrella dance.
Ms. Pamela Odengo, a teacher from Kianda School and the dancers’ trainer, stood beaming beside her students after their performance.
“This is the first time we’ve performed this dance,” she shared. “Through the CBE, our learners were introduced to foreign languages and cultures, including Chinese. The umbrella dance is part of Class 1065 under the Oriental category, and we wanted to show that our learners can embrace diversity while staying rooted in Kenyan identity.”
Her sentiments echoed Dr. Ogamba’s belief that CBE has opened new doors for learners.
“The ability to experience and perform arts from other cultures gives our students a global perspective,” he said. “It’s no longer just about exams. It’s about expression, confidence, and innovation.”
Dr. Ogamba used the platform to announce a bold and transformative initiative: the formation of a task force to explore the establishment of a National Academy for Creative and Performing Arts.
“This academy will be a space where raw talent is refined and elevated,” he announced to applause. “It will offer structured training, mentorship, and exposure, nurturing our future musicians, actors, dancers, and filmmakers.”
He also assured stakeholders that the government, through the Treasury and the National Assembly, would secure consistent funding for the Kenya Music Festivals to ensure their sustainability for generations to come.
The proposal was warmly received by educators and learners alike, with Ms. Odengo calling it a “game-changer,” noting how many talented Kenyan learners lacked platforms to refine and showcase their skills beyond school.
With the government now championing the arts, the sound of Kenya’s young talents will not just echo through school halls, but it may soon resonate across the world.
By Dickson Mwiti
