Committee members of the Kwale Cultural Festival have been called upon to observe fairness and equity from the grass-root level in running the cultural competitions auditions that has kicked off at the ward levels.
Addressing the committee members and judges at Kwale Cultural Center, area Governor Salim Mvurya noted that it’s through consideration of the best performance that team Kwale will scoop the trophies as it has been the norm in previous competitions before covid-19 forced cancellation of 2020 cultural activities.
“Our vision on cultural promotion has always been to develop our community-driven cultural activities in regards to making a living through tourism and related avenues,” said Mvurya.
Kwale County emerged 2nd in Kenya in the 2019 Music and Cultural competitions held in Siaya County and scooped over 40 trophies in different categories of music, poetry, dances and art.
This year’s national competitions will be held in Mombasa County with the theme ‘celebrating the resilience of Kenyans in safeguarding the health of our nation’.
The competition was not held last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic but this year’s competition will be observed under strict Covid-19 rules and regulations.
Governor Mvurya met county committee members of the 94th annual festival at Kwale Cultural Centre.
The meeting brought together Community Development Officers (CDO’s), Ward administrators and committee members from all the 20 wards of the coastal county.
Among issues deliberated were the ward level competitions set to commence on 17th to 26th November across the county.
County level cultural competitions will be held on November 29 at Kwale Cultural Centre. Mvurya urged the committee members to conduct free, fair and just competitions and warned against any corruption and unfair treatment of contestants.
“It’s my directive that the competitions and the whole exercise will be conducted with fairness and transparency and that each group will be given an opportunity to showcase their cultural content and talent,” he said.
The governor said he values cultural heritage and talent among residents and has made it his agenda to see that culture is promoted and nurtured for posterity. He said sports, especially ball games, have brought fame to Kwale County.
The Governor also took time to visit the Culture recording studios which are ready and asked the County Executive for Sports and Culture Ramadhan Bungale to put on the final touches and have it officially opened.
“This is a game-changer facility that will go a long way in promoting talents in our county, it’s a huge milestone,” he said as he tested the modern equipment.
Mvurya said the modern studio that will be at the Kwale cultural center premises will feature audio/video studios that are aimed at nurturing talent through performing arts.
By Hussein Abdullahi
