Music festival echoes with sacred sounds

Olooseos Girls from Kajiado county perform a Maasai sacred folk song during the Rift Valley Regional Kenya Music Festival at Nakuru Girls' High School, on July 14, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Spiritual compositions took centre stage on the final day of the Rift Valley Regional Music Festival at Nakuru Girls' High School on Monday. Leading the day's programme were set pieces by various schools, followed by folk songs and dances that electrified different music halls during the 97th edition of the week-long extravaganza. Kimana Girls' Secondary School from Loitoktok performed "Praise the Torch", a set piece composed by Daniel Kithome, which focused on the importance of praising the almighty God, creator of Heaven and Earth, even amidst life's challenges. With harmonious piano accompaniment and layered drumbeats, the performance stood out for its lyrical and melodic sweetness. "We could have sung without the piano, but we found it essential for this piece," said Kithome, when asked about the use of sophisticated instrumentation at the school-level festival. Without relying on similar instrumentation, AIC Kiborgok Girls performed "Hakuna Dhambi Ndogo" (All sins Are equal) by James Lumadende, a stirring piece rooted in Christian moral teaching. St. Bakhita Bahati Girls of Nakuru offered a traditional Christian folk song themed on the Holy Spirit, composed by Sister Bertha Amondi. Songot Boys from Turkana County rehearse a traditional Turkana sacred folk song at Nakuru Girls' High School during the Rift Valley Regional Kenya Music Festival, on July 14, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] "We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives," said Sister Amondi. Kipsingei High School composer Jane Kenyanya captivated the audience with a Kisii folk dance titled "Omoiseke Omonyakieni", which told the tale of a beautiful young woman admired by many suitors. "This encourages young men to marry within the appropriate age bracket. They should not delay," said Kenyanya. They finished third behind Ole Tipis of Narok and Jomo Kenyatta of Nakuru in the Class of 472K, who took positions one and two, respectively and qualified for next month's National Music Festival in Meru. Sosit Girls from Kericho County perform during the Rift Valley Regional Kenya Music Festival at Nakuru Girls' High School, on July 14, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Chelilis Girls High School, Kericho presented a Kipsigis set piece titled "Asis" (God), composed by Joseph Chepkwony, a supplication for divine blessings-particularly the birth of children and the arrival of rains. St. Francis of Assisi Girls, Kolongolo, from Trans Nzoia County thrilled audiences with "Chepolaleyo", a Pokot folk song performed during and after a bountiful harvest.

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Music festival echoes with sacred sounds

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