Western schools dominate fete

By Joel Okwayo and George Orido

Schools from Western Province swept all trophies in performances that focused on reforms in the concluded Kenya Schools and Colleges Music Festivals held in Kakamega.

Keveye Girls from Sabatia Constituency topped the list with 92.1 marks to emerge winners.

The school also went a head to win the Amnesty International Trophy with a verse on human rights.

Keveye further harvested the Vision 2030 Trophy as they emerged position one, beating Mukuyuni Girls from Bungoma, which settled for the second position. Spring Board Academy from Busia was third in the same category.

The Class 365 songs, focusing on electoral reforms, saw Bishop Sulumeti Girls from Lurambi constituency take the second slot with 90 marks with Erusui Girls from Hamisi constituency coming in third with 89 marks.

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) donated trophies for performances that focused on governance and reforms.

More than ten secondary schools from Nairobi, Rift Valley, Coast and Nyanza provinces entered the competition for the trophies.

National cohesion

IIEC Chairman Issack Hassan, the Commission’s Partnerships Manager Anne Nderitu and Director of Voter Education Joel Mabonga, said music had played a great role in promoting national cohesion among Kenyans.

Mr Hassan said the Commission was also happy that the festivals brought together over 90, 000 participants. He said the events united the country, especially after the concluded referendum.

The teams will join others on Wednesday to perform for President Kibaki at State House in Nairobi.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri said preparations for the concert were complete.

"This is the first group that will be entertaining President Kibaki as he prepares to promulgate the new constitution," added Prof Ongeri.

Education PS James ole Kiyiapi and Western PDE Kenneth Misoi accompanied Ongeri.

Private schools also took a centre stage in this year’s competitions as they scoped top awards. Spring Board Academy in Busia won the folk song category.

The trophy donated by Education Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny landed in the hands of the school after it managed 94.6 marks.

The best overall trophy in the adult’s class was given to Carol Academy from Nakuru for their impressive performance. Prof Ongeri donated the trophy.

First comers, Naroko High School celebrated the day with Calistus Mwatela’s trophy, after thrilling the audience with an African traditional folk song. Mr Mwatela is also an assistant minister for education.