Music fest winds down in preparation for gala concerts

There was minimal activity on stage yesterday, and the same is expected today as trainers focus on collecting certificates and trophies. Each participating school receives a certificate of merit, while the top three winners in each category are awarded winners’ certificates and trophies. Trainers also receive merit certificates.

Some categories also carry cash prizes and gift vouchers, making them highly competitive. These include awards sponsored by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Uraia Trust, and the popular Equity Bank category. Equity Bank supports choral verses and songs performed at all education levels — from early childhood to university.

Among the standout teams in the Teachers Training Colleges (TTC) section are Kitui, Mosoriot, Thogoto, Kaimosi, Asumbi, Meru, and Bondo TTC.

Verses in English, Kiswahili and vernacular languages have dominated the festival since last weekend, outshining traditional crowd favourites such as folk dances and songs this year.

The main themes presented have been the importance of education, gender equality and the responsible use of social media. Students impressed audiences with eloquent spoken-word pieces and poems that combined deep messages with captivating performances.

One standout piece was When I Grow Tall, performed by St Bakhita School, Athi River. The poem explores the dreams and fantasies of childhood, where one believes anything is possible. In the story, the performer imagines growing tall enough to touch the sky, only for reality to temper these dreams with the challenges of adulthood.

 The verse was composed and directed by Grace Mutheu Kiluma, a seasoned trainer, author, adjudicator, poet and English literature teacher.

Other notable performances came from Brampton Preparatory (Nyanza), Edwin Bright (Coast), Bishop Mahon (Rift Valley), Lizzie Wanyoike (Central), Kiriaini Junior School (Eastern), Unity Day (Nairobi), Serve Academy (Western), Mama Teresa (Nyanza), Bright Beginning (Coast), Moi Kabarak (Rift Valley), Karatina Urban (Central), Moi Forces Academy (Nairobi), and Rozina Academy (Western).

Destiny Shapers Christian School presented a solo poem titled My Pretty Pet while Mathenge Technical and Vocational College won the choral verse category for TVET institutions with a piece directed by Catherine Gikonyo.

Their poem delivered a strong social critique on moral decline among the youth, focusing on a girl named Gîthoni — once innocent and studious but later drawn into worldly pleasures, social media and promiscuity. The message was a heartfelt call to return to dignity, self-respect and traditional values.

In the Luhya folk songs category, Kibabii University took first place followed by Alupe University with Mount Kenya University coming third.

Maranda High School Brass Band reaffirmed its dominance by winning the fiercely contested Brass Band Ensemble class.

“We have practiced in the heat, in the cold and sometimes under very tough circumstances — but today, it all paid off. I am proud of these young men beyond words,” said club patron Habert Odhiambo.

The festival which runs from August 3 to 16, 2025 is hosted at Meru School, Kaaga Girls High School and Meru Teachers Training College in Meru County.

This year’s theme — Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development — highlights the role of the arts in fostering both cultural and economic growth.

Meru County has proven to be an ideal venue with performance halls at Kaaga Girls, Meru School and Meru TTC offering spacious, well-lit auditoriums for performers and audiences alike. This has been a marked improvement over previous years when smaller venues forced many spectators to watch from outside.

Local businesses have also reaped big from the event. Hotels, restaurants and bodaboda operators in Meru, Makutano and Nkubu towns have recorded record earnings.

“This event has been a godsend for me and my colleagues. All our rooms have been fully booked from day one, and the performances have been both entertaining and educational. I hope the festival returns to Meru next year,” said Robert Kimathi of Annex Hotel, Makutano.

The Kenya Music Festival, now in its 97th year, is the oldest cultural event in the country. Hosted by the Ministry of Education, it brings together students from early childhood, primary, junior secondary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities.

While primary and secondary schools have traditionally dominated the stage, tertiary institutions and universities have recently stepped up their game, making the festival more competitive and entertaining than ever.