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Kenya National Music Festival’s unifying culture earns praise
Harambee Gardens Primary School pupils present a Mijikenda folk dance during the Kenya National Music Festival at Meru School on August 13, 2025.
The 97th edition of the Kenya National Music Festival moved to the Gala stage on Wednesday with winners showcasing the crème de la crème at Meru School.
The day began with a prayer by Mikelyster Wafula of Kimilili Primary School, who asked God to help his team perform at the State Concert, Sagana Lodge.
Kimilili Primary School performed the boys’ set piece “Always Sing a Song”, which was conducted by Sarah Wakoli and James Anoka.
Soloists Roy Jonathan, James Anoka, Jimmy Simiyu and Jonathan Nyaga delivered impressive performances.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Kenya Music Festival Executive Secretary Janet Langat during the Finalist Concert of the Kenya National Music Festival at Meru School on August 13, 2025.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba was the chief guest during the Finalist Concert.
Mr Ogamba presented trophies to the winners, who included Senende Boys, Matonge Education Training Centre, Alliance Girls, PCEA Kagema, Little Friends Naivasha, Kenyatta University (KU), Mt Kenya University (MKU), Kaaga Girls, Meru Teachers Training College and Meru School.
Homa Bay Teachers choir entertains the audience with a folk song during the Kenya National Music Festival at Meru School on August 13, 2025.
Other performances were by Harambee Gardens, Moi Forces Academy, Homa Bay Teachers Choir, SCLP Samaj, Kakamega Primary School, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Karen C Girls, State House Girls and Kitui TTC.
Precious Blood, Borabu TTC, Narok High School and Otieno Oyoo High School also thrilled audiences with their items.
Daystar University performed “Ukimuona Mwambie Bado Nampenda” – an arrangement by Joseph Muyale J Inzai.
Mr Inzai said the piece has “a lot of Gen-Z connotations” and was arranged at the request of the students.
According to Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Chief Executive Charles Ong’ondo, standards in the instrumental and other classes have greatly improved, with learning institutions investing in instruments and professional trainers.
“Having music as a learning area in the new curriculum also contributed to the improvement,” Prof Ong’ondo said.
PCEA Kagema pupils present a choral verse during the Kenya National Music Festival at Meru School on August 13, 2025.
In the School Equipment Production Unit (Sepu)-sponsored categories, Nyamachaki Primary School and JSS from Nyeri County won the Junior Secondary category, which was themed “Operationalising Sepu-Enabled Integrated Science”.
St Monica Girls Secondary School, Kitale, was top in the secondary school category themed Sepu – “Paving the Pathway for Science, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)”.
Sepu Chief Executive Joel Mabonga presented trophies and certificates to the winners.
KU presented “Nyasembo”, a song celebrating African beauty and culture.
MKU’s English choral verse highlighted the importance of preventing and treating tuberculosis.
The Finalist Concert usually features winners from most categories at the National Music Festival – from Early Childhood Development pupils to college and university students.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is expected to be the chief guest on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Kenyatta University students celebrate after winning the highest number of trophies during the Finalist Concert of the Kenya National Music festival at Meru School on August 13, 2025.
He will be joined by Education Principal Secretaries, university vice-chancellors and heads of institutions.
Mr Ogamba lauded the festival’s near-century tradition of uniting young Kenyans through culture, talent and art.
Meanwhile, Mr Harrison Indimuli – an adjudicator and elocution trainer – has been promoted to Regional Director for Quality Assurance and Standards in Eastern Region.
Separately, KU will stage its award-winning play “The Last Spear of Nandi” at the Kenya National Theatre on August 16 and 17.
Fresh from presenting the best play at the Kenya National Drama Festival 2025 and finishing runner-up at the Kenya Music and Cultural Festival, the production – directed by Derrick Waswa and Dickson Ochieng – tells the story of Koitalel arap Samoei’s resistance and courage against British invaders.
The cast features national festival award winners Trevor Aseri, Elvis Muhia, Evans Katana, Mercy Paulette Nyambura and Dickson Ochieng'.
It was described by the judges as a visually rich, culturally powerful theatre experience.
