Michelle Obama to meet Kenyan artistes

The Kenyan artistes currently performing at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC are excited about the prospects of being hosted by US First Lady Michelle Obama after word went around among the Kenyan delegates that an invite had come through from White House.

"After all the drama, and our payment issues settled, we have been rocking this place and giving a truly good show to our fans here in the National Mall," said Afro-fusion musician, Olova Makadem aka Mganga Mkuu.

Makadem said the news that they would be meeting Obama's wife has boosted their morale.

"She is our sister and the President is one of our own. This is exciting," he said.

The group performed in a pavilion dubbed Ngoma Kenya and attracted multitudes of fans from different parts of the world.

Making it in the repertoire was Banga, Lingala and other Kenyan traditional music from all parts of the country.

Before leaving for the US, Culture CS Hassan Wario had said the government had set aside Sh200 million for the programme.

"It will be the biggest ever cultural expose with over 1.7 million visitors coming to sample what Kenyans can offer the world," he said in his office at  Kencom House.

But the festival had a false start when artistes went on strike over unpaid dues.