Folk song and dance groups to entertain guests at Nakuru Madaraka fete

Performances featuring traditional music and folk dances will be some of the highlights during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead the festivities marking the 53rd anniversary of Kenya’s self-rule, which will, for the first time ever, be held outside Nairobi.

Among the teams that had been rehearsing at the Permanent Presidential Music Commission in Nairobi for the past two weeks are a mass choir made up of assistant county commissioners, Olasiti Dancers from Kajiado, Ilchamus from Marigat, who will present traditional dances, veteran musician Pastor Joel Kimetto, Nandi women dancers and Kuria dancers.

An award-winning solo performance of a poem by Alex Njeru of Young Marvel Academy, which was presented at this year's Kenya National Drama Festival, will be dramatized.

Other presenters lined up are Janet Otieno, Florence Andenyi and Mwalimu Kedanda.

STUDENT DANCES

Colourful presentations are expected from 1,500 students from 25 secondary schools in Nakuru County.

They will be dressed in attire featuring the colours of the national flag.

The students were rehearsing at Afraha Stadium on Tuesday.

The Gilgil Hills School band will also entertain guests.

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission, which identifies and selects the traditional dancers and entertainment teams, was formed to document, preserve, develop and promote music and dance in the country, according to its website.

Its functions include preparing and presenting entertainment during national celebrations and at other State events.

Madaraka Day commemorates the day Kenya attained self-rule in 1963, preceding full independence from Britain on December 12 the same year.