Thousands turn up for kids talent search auditions at KICC

By MAUREEN ABWAO

Nairobi, Kenya: Thousands of children turned up for the superstar kid talent search auditions at the KICC Saturday. With tight security at the gates, the jam-packed event saw children accompanied by their parents from all parts of the city and even other towns come for the auditions.

The event sought to identify various talents that children have, ranging from music, modelling, dancing, and poetry. Janice Gaiti, a mother of three, who had brought her 9-year-old daughter Joy Karemi to audition in the modelling category, lauded the event’s organisers.

“Parents should support their children and help them nurture talents as they can also make careers out of them,” said Ms Gaiti. Sharon Nyambura, 11, auditioned in the creative arts category, where she showcased hand made clothe designs.

According to the mother Agnes Muigai, her daughter started designing clothes for her dolls in 2011. 

In the dancing category Esther Kaveke, 12, wooed the judges with her dance moves and made through the auditions.

Speaking to The Standard on Sunday, the girl said: “I am so happy for having auditioned and made through as I have been wishing for such an event and am optimistic that I will win in the finals.”

In the musical instruments category, 11-year-old Ndani Nderitu, a pupil at Braeside Academy, gave a thrilling performance of the national anthem tune and Oliver’s Mtukudzi song Todii as he waited for his turn to audition with his guitar.

Children who made through the auditions will attend a boot camp in August at the Makini School.

However, it was a sad event for those who did not make it. On the sides were events like swimming in the water pools, horse and camel riding, face painting, bouncing castles among other fun events.

Fantastic prizes

The General Manager of Super Kid Talent Search Company, Camilla Wangoi, said the event had turned out to be a huge success and the number of talents showcased were overwhelming and therefore the need to nurture this talents at a tender age.

“We have had children as young as four years audition a sure sign that there is massive talent among the children and therefore a need to nurture this talents ” said Ms Wangoi. Such events, the first of its kind in the country, have previously been held in Uganda and will now be annual, according to Wangoi.

At the finals, all winners in the various categories will walk away with fantastic prizes with ultimate prize being a trip to Disneyland, while the other prizes will include limo rides, gift hampers, music studio recording deals and a chance to attend the superstar talent academy.

The event has enjoyed sponsorship from the Standard Media Group, Dairyland Ice Cream and Naivas Supermarkets among others.