Kenya Music Festival resumed in secondary schools within Kisii County on Tuesday after a two-year break due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The festival which normally takes three months, has a tight schedule of about four weeks compared to the previous years due to the compressed school calendar.
Speaking to the press during the event held at Kisii Primary School, Director of Culture Obino Nyambane, thanked the Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders for reviving the festival and giving the students a chance to congregate and display their talents.
“It is a wonderful thing to have the music festival back in the school curriculum as it helps the learners to know more about our cultural setups and cultural heritages,” Nyambane said.
The Director noted the festival plays a key role in the documentation of cultural heritages of different communities in the country and expressed his optimism that the event will continue in different parts of the country in a peaceful manner.
John Wafula, a music teacher at St Charles Lwanga Girls Ichuni, said they were happy to take part in the festival after two years without any extra-curricular activities adding that the festival has given the learners an opportunity to explore their talents outside the classroom.
Mr Wafula pointed out that students should be given opportunities to explore their talents because music helps to boost their academic performance by broadening their minds as well as giving them exposure.
He noted that excelling in music is an added advantage to students and urged them to equally put extra effort in academics.
The top schools in each category of the festival will proceed to the Regional levels that will be held on September 5 at Ringa Boys High School in Homa Bay County.
Last month, the Ministry of Education allowed the resumption of co-curricular activities in learning institutions saying the activities play a crucial role in the well-being of learners.
Maseno University in Kisumu County will host the 94th National Music Festival from September 16 to September 23, followed by the State concert on September 24 at the Kisumu State Lodge.
By Vincent Nyambane
