The school music festival returns to the stage after a two-year break occasioned by the Covid-19 outbreak.
The festival that starts Saturday will be staged across the country, with learners showcasing their prowess in music, poetry, film, and dance.
Janet Lang'ata, executive secretary of the Kenya Music Festival, said the festival which normally takes three months, has been reduced to two weeks.
''Due to a compressed calendar, we will also have a tight schedule for the music festival compared to the previous years. We shall be taking only the winners in all classes,'' she said.
Lovers of the festival who used to nurture and identify talent have been early been waiting for its return.
Due to the shortened period of performance, tertiary institutions and universities will have direct entry to the national level. Categories will focus on drugs, tourism, National Hospital Insurance Fund, children's rights, Kenya Road Board, Kenya Ports Authority, and Agenda Four.
Others include pop gospel, folk sacred, folk songs, zilizopendwa, set pieces, orientals, instruments, and elocution.
According to Nairobi region Executive Secretary Erick Amuhaya, schools have been clustered in three sub-regions.
''All music and elocution will be adjudicated at the sub-region level and winners will proceed to the regional level while oriental classes will go through the preliminary," said Amuhaya.
He said schools from Makadara, Westlands, and Kasarani sub-counties will converge at Highway High School with Komarock School playing host to Kibra, Dagoretti, Kamukunji, and Embakasi sub-counties.
Muhuri Muchiri High School will host schools from Njiru, Mathare, Starehe, and Langata sub-counties. Amuhaya said Kenya's rich heritage is showcased through the music festival.
