- Kisumu County has held an ECDE Creative Activities Festival to showcase young learners’ talents through music, drama and art.
- County officials say the festival helps build creativity, confidence and character from the early years of learning.
- The county has also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ECDE through teacher recruitment and stakeholder partnerships.
Kisumu County has hosted a Creative Activities Festival for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), bringing together young learners, teachers and education stakeholders to showcase talent and promote learning through creative arts.
The event, held at Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall on Thursday, highlighted the county’s efforts to strengthen early childhood education by integrating music, drama, art and other creative activities into the learning process.
County Executive Committee Member for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services John Awiti emphasised that the festival represents more than just a competition; it is a celebration of foundational development.
“The development of a child comes first before we talk about education. This is a very complex sector which most people do not understand,” Awiti remarked. “Those of us who are in it know very well that we are laying the foundation. That foundation is strengthened when we ensure that character building starts right from the initial stage.”
Awiti noted that the county’s approach prioritises social and emotional development, ensuring a conducive environment where every child can express themselves freely.
“We are very keen on ensuring that every child gets an opportunity to express themselves and bring out the talent that is within them,” he said.
He expressed pride in Kisumu’s pioneering role, saying the county had taken creative learning to a level that many other counties were yet to attain.
“Kisumu County is unique. We are the county that is doing this activity to this level. You will check around and find that other counties have not reached this level,” he said.
The County Executive acknowledged Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s support for early childhood education, including the recent recruitment of 120 ECDE teachers.
“Just recently, last month, we recruited 120 ECDE teachers. As we speak, we are going to submit another request because we want our children to be handled by professional teachers,” Awiti said.
Festival showcases the best young talent
Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Bovine Ochieng described the festival as the culmination of competitions held from the ward level through to the sub-county level.
“This is the climax of the climax. This is the best of the best because we have been able to identify the best talents and the most creative learners from the ward level all the way to the sub-county level, and now we are at the county level,” Ochieng said.
He noted that the festival plays a vital role in nurturing talent during the formative years.
“What we are doing today is nurturing talent at the formative stage, which is very critical and fundamental,” he explained.
County commits to strengthening ECDE
Ochieng said the county is investing in children who will become future governors, presidents, innovators and engineers.
“We are nurturing a younger generation that will probably become future leaders,” he said, emphasising the need to instil culture and moral values during early learning.
He called on parents, development partners and other education stakeholders to work together in strengthening foundational education.
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“We want to encourage all partners and parents, including development partners, to work together because collaboration is key to giving our children a better future,” Ochieng said.
By Fredrick Odiero
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