Mount Kenya University (MKU) emerged victorious in the fiercely contested Kiswahili Choral Verse category with their piece on the sensitive theme of gender identity during the ongoing Kenya National Music Festival.
The festival is being held at Meru School, Kaaga Girls and Meru Teachers Training College, in Meru County.
Linda Rutto of Little Friends Mogotio presents Indian classical during the fourth day of the Kenya National Music Festival at Meru TTC on August 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi | Nation Media Group
In their verse, MKU tackled the importance of individuals staying true to their gender orientation, sparking conversation and reflection.
In second place, Kibabii University, dealt with pressing festival issues and the challenges institutions face in participating in such national events. Their performance resonated with both the audience and adjudicators, earning praise for its relevance and bold delivery. St Paul’s University were third with a piece urging African girls to be proud of their dark complexion.
Moi Teachers Training College presents a Folk songs during the Day Five of the Kenya National music Festival Kaaga Girls High School on August 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi | Nation Media Group
Kibabii University won in the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA)-sponsored elocution class. MKU claimed second place while Alupe University from Busia secured third position in a tightly contested category.
In the English Own Composition category, MKU’s choral verse Not My Portion, about missing marks in universities, again stood out for its boldness in exposing lazy lecturers. St Paul’s University was second, and Multi-Media University third.
Ashley Wairimu of Kabarak University presented The Artist, a solo verse in English directed by Michael Kiguta. The winning verse speaks on how artists do a lot and are later forgotten, even though their work remains.
The university also won in the French solo category in a performance by Njoroge Lucy Wanjiku on broken love.
Thogoto emerged as the top TTC in the CA-sponsored class aimed at raising awareness on digital literacy, online safety, and responsible internet usage. The top performances seamlessly fused spoken word, choral verse and dramatisation to bring attention to pressing issues such as cyberbullying, fake news and safe internet practices.
Kitale National Polytechnic presents a choral verse on fake cell phones being sold at the market at the Kenya National Music Festival at Kaaga Girls High School on August 8, 2025
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi | Nation Media Group
In the primary school category, Little Friends Naivasha were the winners with their choral verse Like a Magnet by Casmir Obiero. The poem explores the theme of online gaming addiction among children.
Narrated from a child’s perspective, it is about how an innocent game download quickly spirals into a consuming obsession, pulling the children away from schoolwork, family, and responsibilities, just like a magnet. It creatively illustrates the internal conflict between digital temptations and real-world duties.
National Youth Service emerged as the winners in the CA category for technical and vocational colleges. Kiambu National Polytechnic were second while Sigalagala were third.
Mathenge Technical Training Institute presented a choral verse, Our Guardian Angel, directed by Catherine Gikonyo, which talks about the safety and authenticity of devices. JFC Munene College of Health Sciences Thika presented a choral verse on fake cell phones being sold in the market.
Other presentations were from North Eastern National Polytechnic, Eldoret National Polytechnic, Kitale National Polytechnic and NIBS College. Dennis Kimathi of Kiambu National Polytechnic was the winner in the solo verse presentation. Eugene Munene of Nyeri National Polytechnic was second while Sigalagala National Polytechnic was third.
Issues of governance and public service also dominated the festival when primary schools presented own composition verses and songs . Alcohol abuse by civil servants, devolution and value-based citizenship were also explored in the category sponsored by Uraia Trust.
Moi AirBase Primary School plays wind instruments during the Day Five of the Kenya National music Festival Kaaga Girls High School on August 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi | Nation Media Group
Moi Forces Academy and Salvation Army, both from the Nairobi Region, and Katoloni Primary School won in the songs category. Salvation Army had a colourful song, Pombe Haramu, about civil servants who neglect their duties due to alcohol abuse. Such workers fail to deliver services to the public and erode people’s confidence in the civil service.
In the Kiswahili verse category on the theme of utu (humaneness), the pupils presented poems that explored the themes of devolution, the importance of public etiquette and governance. The winners were Moi University Primary School, Marimanti Primary and Jonathan Mala Primary.
