Crime, rights dominate fete songs

What you need to know:

  • Participants at the well-attended event at Highridge Girls High School in Nairobi dwelt on how to share ideas on stemming crime by volunteering information on suspects to the authorities.

Issues of insecurity, children’s rights and patriotism dominated the second day of the annual Nairobi City County music festival on Wednesday.

Participants at the well-attended event at Highridge Girls High School in Nairobi dwelt on how to share ideas on stemming crime by volunteering information on suspects to the authorities.

This would create a peaceful and safe environment, conducive for individual and community development.

The community policing category, popularly referred to as the Kaguthi Category, had interesting items.

The level of scripting was quite high in terms of message, poetic structure and choreography for vocal entertainment.

The category was named after long-serving provincial administrator, Mr Joseph Kaguthi, who is the chairman of the National Committee on Citizen Participation in Security.

The students also delved into the subjects of patriotism, and a few took a swipe at commercial banks over steep interest rates.

Among the teams that performed the English choral verse on The Nyumba Kumi Initiative were Precious Blood, Sunshine School and Riara Springs Girls.

The session was also dominated by choral verses in English. Special compositions touched on countering violent extremism, promotion of rights of the child and campaign against alcohol and drug abuse.

English choral verses about price stability in the financial sector were well received by the audience . The verses highlighted the role of Central Bank of Kenya, its impact on ordinary Kenyans’ lives by ensuring stability of prices - including interest rates and  exchange rates. CBK are the festival’s title sponsors.

Among schools with presentations in this category were Upper Hill, Sunshine School, Riara Springs Girls.  

Today’s session will feature dances from Turkana, Pokot, Kikuyu, Meru, Kipsigis, Kurua, Kisii, Luo, Luhya and  Suba communities.