Kabarak partners with county to develop arts and promote

Dancers from the Ilchamus Community entertain guests at Kabarak University during the closing ceremony of Kabarak University International Research Conference on Music and other arts at the institution's amphitheatre. [Photo: Kennedy Gachuhi, Standard].

Kabarak University will sign a pact with the Nakuru County Government aimed at growing music and other arts.

Through the memorandum of understanding, the university’s School of Music and Performing Arts and the Nakuru Players Theatre will work closely to nurture talent and knowledge sharing among the youth.

Speaking during the Kabarak University International Research Conference on Music and other Arts, Deputy Vice Chancellor John Ocholla reiterated the need to conserve diverse cultures in Kenya.

“Our cultures are slowly fading and this calls for all stakeholders to join hands in conserving and promoting culture through music and performing arts. We are committed to continue offering support to music and other genres of arts,” said Prof Ocholla, who is in charge of academics and research.

Kabarak University is one of the few universities in the country certified to teach music and performing arts to the doctorate level.

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) has also partnered with the county government with plans to set up a talent centre in the county.

The commission’s Director Donald Otoyo said the talent centre will be first outside Nairobi and will go a long way in helping budding artists realise their potential citing Nakuru as a great source of artists. “We only need the county government to give us space and we will set up a unique talent centre,” said Dr Otoyo.

He said the government is working on major reforms on Music Education and Kabarak University being among the leading institutions will be among the partners to see the plans succeed.

Education Executive Raymond Komen said the county will refurbish and equip a players’ theatre to accommodate all arts and theatre aspects. Nakuru has produced leading musicians and comedians such as Prof Harmo, DJ Shiti, Uprising Comedians, Kaka Bweha, Babushee among many others.

Gender, Culture and Social Services Chief Officer Abduba Tume said the collaboration between the county and Kabarak University will open up more entertainment tourism destinations. 

Ms Tume said the School of Music and Performing Arts will help in managing and equipping the theatre. County Director of Culture Alice Gekonde and Profs Alain Barker and Kimberly Carballo from the Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University also graced the event.