Bank interest rates main theme at festival

The contentious issue of bank interest rates and how they affect the lives of Kenyans was one of the leading themes when Teachers Training Colleges (TTC) and national polytechnics took stage during the ongoing Kenya Music Festival.

The higher learning institutions participated in competitive categories, which included the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) sponsored category. The category is sponsored by CBK to celebrate its 50 years of existence and its role in stabilising the Kenya economy. It featured a special song composed by CBK music director Richard Kadhambi.

In the category, the winners took home Sh200,000 while the first and second runners up were awarded Sh150,000 and Sh100,000 respectively. Thogoto TTC won in the category, followed by Muranga and Kaimosi. The theme of the song was “Promoting price stability, sound national payment system and vibrant financial sector”.

The certificates and trophies were presented by Mr Kadhambi at Safaricom Kasarani stadium who said he was pleased with the level of skill showed by the participants. The song, he said, is aimed at celebrating the role of CBK in Kenyans’ lives.

PRESENTED CHORAL VERSES

Another highly competitive class in the festival was Nyumba Kumi Initiative, which featured items on citizen participation in national security.

The event was sponsored by Citizen Participation in Security , an initiative that is headed by veteran administrator Joseph Kaguthi.

In the category, primary schools performed well. Kericho Primary School carried the day, followed by PCEA Kamuli and KBA School Kasarani. Migori Primary School came fourth while Busia Girls and Karanya Girls primary schools tied at fifth position.

In the category, pupils presented choral verses, both in Kiswahili and English and songs. The songs and choral verses said security in schools begins with students themselves. If students were more cautious about the bad elements in their midst, insecurity and indiscipline in schools would reduce significantly.

Another category that pulled crowds was the Mixed voices arrangement of African tunes, which featured mixed men and women choirs. In this category, voice and movement coordination as well as melody arrangement were tested.

Kenya Utalii College outshone the other institutions in the category with a colourful dance. Kisumu National Polytechnic entertained the audience with Auma, a Luo folksong praising a woman called Auma for making very good traditional African beer. Kabete National Polytechnic presented a Negro spiritual entitled Aint got time to die.

In the Luhya/Luo folk dance category, Nabongo TTC presented a Bukusu dance, Khwekhoyela, sang during merry making. Others who did well in this category were Kaimosi TTC, Kibabii Diploma TTC, Muranga and Eregi TTCs. Others were Asumbi and St Marks Kigari.

Among the other sponsored special composition categories were the Kenya National Examinations Council class on integrity in examinations, where items spread the message of cheating in examinations, which has been rife in recent years.

The Techers Service Commission sponsored a class on integrity in the teaching profession while the National Council on Drugs (Nacada) sponsored a category on under age drinking with the theme “My life no place for alcohol”. There was also a category on the effects of violence among the youth.

Adjudicators and team trainers noted that the categories in which teams received cash awards attracted more entrants and had very high level of performances.

This is because, they observed, the teams were highly motivated by the awards. In most categories in the past annual festival, participants only get trophies and certificates. This, it was noted, does little to boost participants’ morale.

“We appreciate participating in the festivals and showcasing talent, but certificates and trophies mean very little to performers,” said a participant.