Masauti, Brandy Maina to headline Jamhuri fete

Ivy Wambui and Masauti during Ali Kiba's listening party in 2021. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Brandy Maina, Faith Stan, and Ndovu Kuu are among the new music stars who will perform at today's Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium.

Experienced musicians and dancers will take part in the celebrations, which are themed around innovation with an emphasis on creative arts.

It is the day when the newly renovated Uhuru Park will reopen to the public, with a six-day music extravaganza set to begin as part of the Jamhuri Day festivities.

The Nairobi Festival will feature innovative youth projects, music, dance, paintings, Nairobi matatu culture, and fashion, among other creative arts activities.

The team in charge of the performances, the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC), told the Standard Sunday the celebrations will be worthwhile.

"As part of the show-stopping entertainment programme, PPMC has put together an amalgamation of choral, popular, and upcoming artists.

"It will feature both new and experienced musicians and dancers. The songs combine traditional and contemporary Kenyan music. The cultural music focuses on Kenya's five lyres and the one and only harp, while the contemporary music focuses on patriotism and nationalism," PPMC's Mike Mutenyo explained.

Some of the popular artistes billed to perform in this year's Jamhuri Day celebrations include Faith Stan, Dufla Diligon, Mak Adem, Timmy TDat and the Tis The Season Ensemble which comprises seasoned musicians like Atemi, Chris Adwar, Manasseh Shalom, Serro and Wambura Mitaru.

Mutenyo stressed that Kenya has a diverse cultural heritage, especially in music and PPMC is committed to ensuring its protection and development through quality productions.

Young artists who excelled in the National Youth Talent Development Programme will be included in the entertainment programme.

Kaka Mlezii, Catherine Muhia, Nicole Ogama, Patricia Yebei, Sheryl Faith, Jerry Ayimba, Christine Muthoni, and Bradley Bett are among them.

The entertainment will feature the story of the lyres and the harp, an initiative to promote local stringed instruments.