Top students at music festival tell Ruto what ails Kenya

Pupils from KItengela International School lift the Kenya Music Festival ECDE overall winner trophy at the state concert in Eldoret State Lodge on August 16, 2024. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Top performers in this year’s Kenya Music Festival yesterday delivered strong leadership messages to President William Ruto and his top officials.

In their performances during the winners’ concert at the Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu, the students told the President what ailed the country.

From road safety warnings to calls for an end to drug abuse and peaceful coexistence, students delivered lessons to the country.

They praised their teachers for their role in nurturing young talents during the State concert that happened a day after the host town, Eldoret became the country’s fifth city.

Performing their coral chant, Tenwek Boarding Comprehensive School from Bomet County took the fight against illicit brew to the festival’s ultimate stage.

“We appeal to you to quit illicit drugs and alcohol so that we realise development. It (illicit brew) has killed men. Where are the religious leaders to pray? Why are they killing our people?” Tenwek Boarding Comprehensive students chanted.

Meanwhile, St Claire’s Maragoli Secondary School’s poem under special composition told Kenyan drivers to stop careless driving.

They said drunk driving was costing the country many lives. The school represented the Western region at the festivals.

Kiptulus Secondary School from Nandi, in their traditional song Ng’enda, passionately preached coexistence.

Interestingly, Ngara Girls High School from Nairobi performed their winning choral verse Behind the Adjudicator’s Desk. The piece was composed to appeal to adjudicators not to be tough when judging items presented by young music talents.

Senende Boys from Vihiga County, Western region continued their stellar show, pelting their Zilizopendwa with live instrumental accompaniments. Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli was spotted enjoying the tune.

State House Girls and Bunyore Girls used the opportunity to explain to the country the crucial role played by teachers.

President Ruto said the festival had offered children a platform to showcase their talents.

“Our students are positioned to be composers and recorders of their performances,” President Ruto told the participants.

He said selected groups will represent the country on the invitation of Germany and are set to perform Kenyan traditional songs in the European nation.

The President lauded the inclusion of more children with special needs in the 96th edition of the Festival.

“Teachers have made sacrifices in helping children grow their talents. Teachers promoting creatives and sports will be promoted based on their co-curricular activities. 407 teachers in the co-curricular space were promoted last year and 17 received national awards,” he said.

Chairman of Kenya Music Festival Fredrick Ngala said 145,000 learners took part in the national contest. Their performances, he said, were ranked by 50 adjudicators.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he was pleased with learners’ mastery of communication skills.

“Young people are strongly talking to us. The government has good stories which are not told well. Government is learning from the children how to communicate better,” he said.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and his Sports counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen and John Mbadi (National Treasury) also attended.