Secondary schools take to the stage as National Music Festivals enter Day Seven

What you need to know:

  • In the Luhya and Luo category, Bungoma High School were the winners. They were followed by St Peter’s Sikusi High School.
  • Mwenje Mixed High school also presented a thrilling folk song Cheparakeye.
  • On Monday Ugandan teams presented their items as guest performers.
  • Colleges presentations at the festivals have improved tremendously as witnessed during the ongoing competition.

Secondary schools on Monday took to the stage with enthralling performances as the Kenya National Music Festival entered its seventh day at the Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani, Nairobi.

The teams were well received by the audience that included Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matian’gi, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, event executive secretary Ruth Agesa and national chairman Peter Wanjohi.

In the Luhya and Luo category, Bungoma High School were the winners. They were followed by St Peter’s Sikusi High School.

Mwenje Mixed High school also presented a thrilling folk song Cheparakeye. The song is sung by young  Pokot men and women to celebrate bumper harvest and other successful events.

On Monday Ugandan teams presented their items as guest performers.

Among them were Mweranyangi Girls Senior School, Buddo Secondary school, Iganga High School Kabale Secondary school and Lizura SS-Uaganda.

Others are Trinity College Nabbingo, St Mary’s College Bushoroza, Mbale Secondary school, West Ville, St Marys Assumpta Girls High School and Mackay Memirial College Nateele.

Meanwhile colleges presentations at the festivals have improved tremendously as witnessed during the ongoing competition.
The institutions presented items in the popular adaptations and arrangements of Kenya secular folk songs category, popularly known as ‘zilizopendwa’.

In previous years, colleges have been overshadowed by primary and secondary schools but their performance at this year’s event has shown they have come of age.

In the zilizopendwa category, participants fight for the Fadhili Williams Memorial Trophy, which is named in honour of one of Kenya’s most internationally recognized musicians. Participants presented golden oldies by stars from the past.

STANDING OVATIONS

In Monday’s presentations, competition and quality were very high with Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College (TTC), Kenyenye TTC, Mosoriot, Kagumo and Murangá TTC performing to standing ovations from the audience.

Others who impressed the guests and adjudicators were Nakuru College and Embu College.

Nabongo TTC, Kibabii, Murangá, Mosoriot and Kagumo TTCs have over the years been consistent good performers in the music festival.

On Monday, they led their colleagues in showing that colleges have upped their game with very memorable presentations being witnessed.
Another class that pulled crowds was the secondary schools’ small choir presentation, which attracted veteran participating institutions and newcomers alike.

The class was both entertaining and unique as the performers are allowed artistic creativity and originality to present own compositions.

Among those who shone in the category were Alliance Girls High School, Brook Field High School Karatina,  Loreto High School, Chogoria Girls, Buburubu Girls, Mukumu Boys and Moi High School Kabarack.