Turkana, Pokot dances steal the show at Kenya National Music Festival

Basic Education Principal Julius Bitok graced the festival yesterday.

“This annual festival provides a unique platform for our learners to showcase their creativity, talents and commitment to national integration,” Prof Bitok said.

The dances tackled issues affecting Turkana and West Pokot counties, including livestock rustling, peaceful coexistence and the sharing of resources by communities.

Standout performances in this category were by Lokichar Girls High School, Nalekosom Primary and Kabuchai Primary Schools.

The learners presented pieces celebrating the rich traditions of the communities in the two counties. The songs mainly focused on key cultural events such as weddings, harvests and childbirth.

Kakuma Mixed Primary School topped the category with an impressive score of 91 per cent. Others were St Michael's and AIC Runo Primary Schools.

AEF Ruben Primary School from Mukuru in Nairobi County shone in the Western Instruments (Own Choice) category, performing at par – and sometimes even better – than well-resourced institutions. The school is in Mukuru, an informal settlement.

The team featured a range of instruments, including the violin, viola, trumpet, saxophone and flute.

Another crowd favourite was a solo poem titled “The Blanket” by Little Friends Academy from Naivasha, Nakuru County.

The poem that was performed by Maliah Njoki delivered a powerful and emotionally charged message on the impacts of debt.

Using the metaphor of a “blanket of truth”, the poem unravels the hidden consequences of financial struggles – from broken homes and tortured parents to the suffering of children in school.

The verses were penned by Magistrate Casmir Obiero and directed by James Nyaranga Omondi, Amos Baraza and Eric Gichuki Kariuki, with production by Francis Gichuki.

Universities present their pieces at Kaaga Girls High School and Meru TTC today. Mt Kenya University (MKU) and Kenyatta University (KU) – the defending champions in the private and public university categories, respectively – will be on stage.

MKU’s Main Campus in Thika will showcase its brass band, choir, solo and choral performances.

KU presents items in choir, zilizopendwa (golden oldies), own compositions and set pieces.

Alupe University from Busia County is expected to captivate the audience with performances in the Bukusu and Teso Folk Song and Dance category, an area in which it has traditionally shone.

Unlike in the past, when university performances were considered a sideshow, the rising quality has captivated thousands. High-level performances by universities are expected today and tomorrow.

Yesterday, Kaaga Girls hosted a remarkable performance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. The team from the institution presented “Tina Khakosa”, a Luhya folk song by Nyongesa wa Muganda, arranged by David Isindu and conducted by Yvonne Alfreda Odipo.

The song is a cautionary tale of young Tina, whose craving for meat leads to an affair with a butcher. This liaison results in a pregnancy, which Tina struggles to hide from her husband.

Kibabii Diploma TTC from Bungoma County triumphed in the Cultural Dance category at Meru School.

The “Kamabeka” dance of the Bukusu was led by an accomplished litungu player.

The performance featured Lameck Ndamwe on lead drums, Griffins Obola and Micah Lusweti on bass drums and Benson Aseka on the gong.

“Kamabeka”, traditionally performed during happy occasions like child-naming, harvests and weddings, entertains and preserves the cultural identity of the Bukusu.

Mukhebi M. Sangura, who is also known as the “Professor of Luhya Folk Songs and Dances” praised the Kibabii students for the work that earned them a score of 93 per cent. Sangura is pursuing further studies.

West Kenya College also presented the “Kamabeka” dance in the same category of Bukusu folk songs and dances.

Other participating teachers' training colleges were Kaimosi, Eregi and Bondo.

Festival organisers say university and secondary school teams from across the country “will arrive in style”.

Universities whose performances in the Luhya, Luo and Suba dances are eagerly awaited include Alupe, MKU, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and KU.

This year’s theme is “Enhancing the Creative Economy Through Artistic Expressions for Sustainable Development”.

The organisers say the theme stresses that art is more than entertainment, as it can be a powerful vehicle for economic growth and social change.

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