Marital issues, road carnage grab focus at music festival

Pupils of Milai School in Eldoret perform a dance during the Kenya Music festival Rift Valley region 97th edition, at Afraha Secondary School, on July 11, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Topical issues affecting the society took prominence on set pieces presented on the fifth day of the Rift Valley Regional Music Festivals at Nakuru Girls High School on Sunday.

The performances entertained students, teachers, and the general public attending the week-long music extravaganza.

Some set pieces dwelt on marriages or marital-related issues, road carnage, and happy ceremonies.

Moi High School, Kabarak presented a Luhya mockery song that tested the endurance of a bride in a family matter.

Titled 'Muruli Shininda,' the song described the role of a bride as an official wife, a mockery that was being extended by the groom's family to test the new wife's ability as a competent wife.

"The song is meant to test her endurance as the newly wedded woman in her new role as a wife from extended testing by the groom's family," composer Dorothy Zalo told The Standard.

Uhuru Girls from Lokichar of Turkana County presented another Luhya wedding song from the Samia community, Omwana Ang'ena, a song sung in praise of a daughter in a successful marriage.

Students of Ilkisongo Boys from Kajiado perform during the Rift Valley Regional Kenya Music Festival at Nakuru High School, on July 11, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

"Parents like their children being in successful marriages. They will praise their daughter on this, meaning all is well in that marriage," said Benson Muhya, its composer.

On their part, Maasai Girls of Narok came up with a Luo Christian song titled Yesu e okumbana (Jesus is my Shield), which dwelt on survival on Christian principles as the answer to many societal problems.

In their Christian Luhya song titled 'Muliro Kwisanga' (Fire is Coming), St Clare's Girls of Elburgon urged sinners to repent since judgement is fast approaching.

"Sinners must first repent, as harsh judgement is fast approaching. Repentance is a sure way to enter the Kingdom of God," said Victor Oduor, the composer.

Learners perform during the Kenya Music Festival for Nyanza region at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on July 11, 2025.

Nasokol Girls came up with Nkarara (The Beautiful Women) in Sabaot, a song that encourages barren women not to lose hope in life since Almighty God could bless them at the eleventh hour. On road safety, several schools encouraged drivers to train at AA Driving School, which is regarded as one of the most proficient driving schools in the country.