By Peter Otuoro
It was pomp and colour at Afraha High school in Nakuru County as it hosted this year’s Rift Valley region Kenya Secondary Schools Music Festival where students from various schools within the region showcased different Kenyan cultures through songs and various presentations.
The region’s fourteen counties were represented by all categories of schools from national schools, extra county schools, county and sub county schools including Utumishi Academy, Nakuru High, Kipsigis High, Kapsabet High, Narok High, Marigat Boys, Kericho High, Maasai Girls, Jomo Kenyatta High School and Maralal High among many others.
Traditional dances, mostly Maasai, Samburu and Kipsigis dominated the scene with colorful decorations as most schools especially from Narok and Kajiado County presented and performed them exceptionally.
The students also showcased how to use traditional music instruments such as the drum and horns as they performed folk songs in various Kenyan languages notably Luhya, Borana, Somali, Luo, Agikuyu, Maasai, Kipsigis and Nandi.
In addition, Nanyuki Boys from Laikipia County and Tumaini Secondary school from Nakuru County performed ‘Zilizopendwa’ songs by past popular artists like Daudi Kabaka, Sukuma Bin Ongaro, Franco Luambo and Oliver Mtukudzi which received critical acclaim from the adjudicators and education officials who attended the event.
Kenyan patriotic songs were not left out as some students performed them sending the message of love, peace, cohesion and harmony in the country.
Some of the schools which scored high marks and are expected to represent Rift Valley region in the Kenya National Music Festivals which will be held in Kisumu are Nanyuki High, Turbo Girls, St. Mark’s Boys, St. Fransis Dolgo High, Our Lady of Glory High, Siwar Girls High, Maralal High, Nakuru High, Kisima Girls High, Kipsigis Girls, Dawamu High, Kapsabet Girls, Kipkelion Girls, Kaptum High, Targos Boys and St. Albert Kamito among others.
The adjudicators urged the schools which did not progress to put more effort and improve in failed areas so as to be better next time. They lauded the students for showcasing the rich Kenyan culture through songs, traditional dances and clothing which they said promoted African values, peace, harmony and respect to all.
They decried the Western culture which they said had eroded African culture causing a lot of social, economic and political classifications which have divided most Africans. They urged the government through the Ministry of Education to continue funding Kenya Music festivals so as students learn and embrace their culture.
Speaking during the event Rift Valley’s Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (QASO) Lawrence Kaburu said the event was important because it generated talents, made excellent public speakers, artists and even media personalities.
Kaburu added that the event promoted Kenyan culture and enhanced peace, unity and cohesion.
Also in attendance were the Rift Valley Regional Director of Education Jared Obiero, County Director of Education, Sub county Education officers, School Principals, KUPPET officials and officials from Kenya Music Festival including Rift Valley Regional chairperson of Music Festivals Simon Masake, Regional Education officials and the region’s fourteen County Education officials among other dignitaries.
