Secondary schools host music festivals, providing a platform for students to learn and perform.
In the heart of Meru, the 2022 Kenya National Music Festival took centre stage, sponsored by Equity Group and hosted at Meru Technical Training College. This annual event, known for promoting artistic talents and addressing societal issues, this year featured English and Kiswahili choral verses on financial literacy and sustainable development.
Peter Ndoro, Head of Education at Equity Bank, announced their commitment to extending support beyond the festival grounds. He aimed to collaborate with institutions to discuss and agree on how to build a future that recognises talent and creativity.
The choral competitions were intense, with various schools participating from across the country. Matungulu Girls from Eastern clinched the English Choral Verse Own Composition category on insurance with their performance titled "The News Bulletin". In the Kiswahili category, Tudor Day from the Coast won first place with their piece "Njia" (The Way), while Nyabachogochogo from Nyanza took second place with "Nguzo ya Kesho" (Pillar of Tomorrow), and Webuye DEB from Western secured third place with "Mkombozi" (The Liberator).
The festival also addressed societal issues such as endowment and funeral expenses being covered after a father's death. Alliance Girls faced disruptions during their original composition for female voices, with stage lights flickering on and off.
Intermittent power outages disrupted several performances at some festival venues, forcing trainers and students to repeat their acts. Despite these challenges, the spirit of the festival remained undeterred.
Prof Frederick Ngala, Kenya Music Festival chairman, emphasised the importance of providing a seamless transition for talented students into higher education platforms. He acknowledged the support of the PS, State Department of Higher Education, in facilitating university involvement.
One of the standout performances was a story of a woman named "Mum Shanice" who was saved by insurance after breaking her leg. From the Coast, Shimo la Tewa presented a piece titled "The Magic Pill", illustrating how businesses can recover through insurance during protests and economic downturns.
Partners at KMF are actively promoting financial literacy through various tents at the festival. However, there is no specific information in the 2022 Kenya National Music Festival about a choral verse competition focused on financial literacy and sustainable development. The 2025 festival, with a theme explicitly related to sustainable development, likely included such thematic competitions or performances.
In a touching tale, "Uncle Kavaluku" was portrayed as a retired military man who became successful in beekeeping, thanks to his pension. His story serves as a reminder of the potential for growth and resilience, even in challenging circumstances.
As the festival concluded, it was clear that the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and resilience had shone brightly. The Kenya National Music Festival continues to be a platform where talents are nurtured, and societal issues are addressed, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
References:
- Kenya National Music Festival
- 2025 Kenya National Music Festival Theme
- 2022 Kenya National Music Festival
- Kenya National Music Festival Categories
- Despite the success of the 2022 Kenya National Music Festival, which focused on financial literacy and sustainable development, there was no specific choral verse competition dedicated to these themes.
- The 2025 Kenya National Music Festival, with a theme explicitly related to sustainable development, is likely to include choral verse competitions or performances centered on financial literacy and sustainable development.
- Peter Ndoro, Head of Education at Equity Bank, announced their intention to collaborate with institutions to build a future that recognizes talent and creativity, extending support beyond the festival grounds.
- The 2022 Kenya National Music Festival also addressed personal-finance issues, such as endowment and funeral expenses, through choral verses and performances.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the festival featured a heartwarming narrative about "Mum Shanice", who was saved by insurance after a tragic accident, emphasizing the importance of insurance and personal-finance management.
