Primary schools were in their element during the presentation of poetry at Meru Teachers Training College on the second day of the Kenya National Music Festivals.
Students performed various solo and choral verses in English, Kiswahili and vernacular languages, tackling a range of themes including online safety, gaming addiction, online fraud, internet use, road safety, and national values.
Little Friends Academy from Naivasha dominated the podium, winning several awards across different categories.
Among their most memorable presentations was Like a Magnet scripted by Casmir Obiero and produced by Francis Gichuhi. This choral verse addressed the increasingly alarming issue of gaming addiction in both children and adults.
In the poem, a mother innocently gives her child a smartphone to play with.
The child downloads a gaming app and quickly becomes addicted. As a result, his academic and social life begins to suffer.
Kitengela International Schools Athi River presents the choral verse during Day Two of the Kenya National Music Festival at Meru TTC on August 5, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi | Nation Media Group
He grows withdrawn and indifferent to his responsibilities, as the poem vividly illustrates how easily gaming and betting addictions can take root.
The category attracted many entries and was highly competitive. Little Friends emerged as winners with PCEA Kangema taking second place and Kakamega Primary School securing third.
Speaking to the Nation after receiving the winner’s trophy, the poem’s producer and school director Francis Gichuhi, emphasised the dangers of unmonitored smartphone use among children.
“Adults should monitor children’s use of mobile phones, especially smartphones. Addiction to gaming and other vices such as betting is very easily acquired but difficult to stop,” said Mr Gichuhi.
Another class that displayed top-notch presentations focused on tuberculosis. The verses emphasised the importance of proper ventilation in public spaces such as classrooms and public transport vehicles.
In this category, All Saints Cathedral Primary School emerged winners, followed by Moody Awori Primary and Chogoria Boarding in second and third place, respectively.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) sponsored a category on the creative economy. Teachers were expected to highlight the importance of developing creative talent among students. Once again, Little Friends Academy won with a poem titled The Adventure, which lamented the neglect of the boy child.
“Most efforts at empowerment target girls, leaving boys neglected and without necessary guidance and attention,” said Mr Gichuhi.
Moi University Primary School celebrates after winning the Choral Verse by Urai Nguzo during Day Two of the Kenya national Music festival at Meru TTC on August 5, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi | Nation Media Group
The school dominated the morning session, winning trophies in four categories.
Mr Gichuhi noted that his institution invests in poetry and public speaking to nurture creative talent.
Another school that stood out in the KICD category was Orchard School Kitengela, which performed a poem titled The Documentary by Peter Odhiambo.
Other notable performers included AIC Zion from Nairobi, St Joseph Girls Busia and Moi Forces Academy Nairobi.
Jomo Primary School from Nyandarua (Central Region) topped the indigenous language category with a powerful Kikuyu poem titled Karigata which urged communities to embrace and support people living with disabilities.
Scripted by Florence Ndung’u, the verse highlighted the stigma and discrimination faced by people with disabilities at home, in school and within the wider community.
They were followed by Koduogo Primary and Leskikan from Samburu while Baragoi Primary, which came third, presented a colorful poem in the Samburu language. Their performance stood out for the performers' traditional Samburu attire and a strong message encouraging the preservation of indigenous languages and culture.
PCEA Kangema won with a choral verse illustrating scenarios in which drivers flouted basic safety rules, such as failing to stop at zebra crossings or parking in restricted areas. Little Friends Academy came in a close second.
PCEA Kangema’s verse also addressed issues like Uber drivers parking on estate roads, playing loud music at night, and honking unnecessarily—portraying them as a public nuisance. Kakamega Primary School, which came third, presented an impactful verse about public service vehicle drivers endangering the lives of other road users.
Today (Wednesday), teachers’ training colleges will take the stage at Kaaga Girls High School in Meru County. The morning session will include French language verses. Among the performers will be Pauline Njoroge of Aberdare TTC, who will present a solo verse. Kaimosi TTC is also scheduled to perform.
