Maasai schools shine in category featuring cultural presentations

Participants perform at the 90th edition of the annual Kenya Music Festival yesterday at the Kasarani gymnasium. (PHOTO: GEORGE ORIDO/ STANDARD)

The Kenya Music Festival came alive with Maasai folk songs and dances at the Kasarani gymnasium in Nairobi yesterday.

The class brought a true sense of celebration of culture, with such schools as St Paul's Primary, Olkejuado Primary, Oldonyonyokya Primary, Marala Primary, Kamuruti DEB Primary, Mararianda Primary and Paranae School, Siana Boarding among others showing great creative spirit.

Pupils who are not from the Maa community also participated in the category that features cultural presentations of the Samburu, Njemps, Rendile and Taveta communities.

"This is a gigantic show of cultural integration where all students are performing in this class and hopefully this grows our national integration process," said Nicholas ole Moipei, a vice chairman of the festival and chairman of the Kenya Cultural Centre.

The day also saw insightful poetry from schools praising their teachers in a class sponsored by the Teachers Service Commission. Pupils portrayed their teachers as caring people who spend most of their time with them.

Solidarity poem

St Paul's Homa Bay performed 'Waridi Letu' on the same theme while PCEA Kariobangi South Academy presented a solidarity poem by George Mulama. The poem exalted teachers for their service to the nation and urged pupils to always respect them.

Laini Saba Primary School won the class while Moses Mudavadi Primary from Vihiga County came second and Springboard Academy from Busia came third.

Ikalyoni Primary School from Makueni presented a poem that depicted a society that is fast forgetting about the boy-child.

Directed by Stepehen Kamenzi, the poem urges parents and teachers to pay attention to the boys as well because all are equal in the eyes of the Creator.

Other pieces talked about the Nyumba Kumi community policing initiative. Moses Mudavadi School put in a strong message for solidarity on security while KPA School was nostalgic when they said "remember those good old days when you knew your neighbour and a child's care was for all".

Busia Girls summed it up, saying this was a golden opportunity for all to embrace safety. They echoed Migori Primary School's message on "My Country, My Security."

Kawangware Primary School surprised many by winning an English set piece - they almost missed the performance after a hiccup on the authorising card that had been left behind.

A boda boda operator did the magic when he rushed back to the school 25km away and returned in the nick of time to allow the school to get on stage.

And when the adjudicator, Sylvester Otieno, rose to announce the results, they were crowned the winners of the tight competition.