The annual Kenya Music Festival will be turned into a commercially rewarding enterprise for students and teachers.
This is if plans by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i come to fruition.
Dr Matiang'i announced that his ministry would consult with stakeholders so that participants, including teachers, could benefit from their sweat.
"I would like to work closely with the Teachers Service Commission so that teachers involved in the directing, writing and production of the music are promoted accordingly," he said during the winners' gala at the Kasarani Sports Centre yesterday.
Matiang'i underscored the importance of integrating the East African region through the arts and welcomed Uganda's participation in this year's event, now its 90th edition.
"I reiterate my commitment to talking with Education ministers in Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi to come on board so that this becomes a truly East African Music, Dance and Drama Festival for all," he added.
HIGH STANDARDS
Speaking at the event, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge praised the high standards of the performances. "It feels good to have financial literacy through performances," he said.
CBK sponsored the fete to the tune of Sh25 million as part of its Jubilee celebrations across the country.
Dry's Girls Secondary School, Chavakali High School and Little Sisters Schools are among the 30 teams that won cash awards in the music and elocution categories sponsored by the bank.
Kenya Music Festival Vice Chairman Nicholas Moipei said this year's performances had improved greatly from last year and asked teachers to keep improving the quality of production.
"We want to thank everyone involved in the festival from the zonals to this level. One million participants took part," he said.
Mr Moipei announced that each of the three class winners would share a cash award of Sh450,000.
Thirteen-year-old Bradley Mudamba impressed the audience with his solo performance on drugs as he plucked away at his acoustic guitar.
"I am so moved by Bradley's performance and I have been engrossed in the diversity and richness that the Kenyan culture," said US Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Megan Larson-Kone.
Nyakemicha Primary School presented a Gusii folk song; a class they won with ease as they provided hope in education and other productive endeavours.
Inspirations Primary School performed a playing game as Nyandarua Boarding School presented a choral verse in praise of the teacher.
ABLY IMMORTALISED
Brenda Fassie's 'Vulindlela' was ably immortalised by Murang'a Teachers College as Mama Ngina Girls from the Coast urged Kenyan politicians to desist from inciting Kenyans during elections.
But the toast of the day was Mwituti Girls from Bungoma with Lucky Dube's 'Together As One' directed by Fred Wesonga. The audience couldn't help but join in the dance as the reggae melodies sank deep.
Other teams that performed included Joytown SA, Ndere Boys, Karatina Special School, Moi Nairobi Girls and Sony Complex.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will host the winners in different categories at State House Nairobi today.
