Mombasa set to stage music festival

The 2014 edition of the Kenya Music Festival is set to open in Mombasa next Monday with teams from across the country expected for arguably the largest art jamboree in East and Central Africa.

For nearly two weeks, budding musicians will converge at the coastal city for music, dance and elocution under the theme Nurturing Creative Talent for Prosperity.

"We have over 600 classes to showcase and every preparation has been put in place to make this year the most memorable event in the history of the festival," said Mr Benson Abwao, the festival's executive secretary.

Abwao sought to allay fears that the fete is either postponed or moved to another location other than Mombasa.

He said the venues for this year's event are Aga Khan Academy, Aga Khan High School, Mbaraki Nursery, Kenya School of Government, Star of the Sea Primary School and Coast Girls' High School.

Last year, the event was held in Nakuru after earlier plans to have it in Nairobi were thwarted by the East Africa Military Games that took place at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, the same venue the festival had been envisioned to be hosted.

Unilever, through its products Blueband, Lifebuoy, Omo and Rexona, will be the title sponsor for the second year in a row.

"We think the festival is a great opportunity for a holistic growth of the young ones and that fits very well with our objectives and we look forward to great music in Mombasa," said Unilever Marketing Manager Ms Elizabeth Mbithi.

Nursery, primary and schools for the disabled will be the first to perform Monday with singing games, set pieces as well as percussion.