Kabarak gears for music festival

Chesakam Primary School pupils from Tiaty present a folk song performed during a rainy season during the ongoing regional music festivals in Nakuru. [Standard]

All is set for the 93rd edition of the National Music Festivals at Kabarak University this week.

The university will be hosting more than 131,000 students and 7,000 teachers expected to attend the 14-day event that begins on August 3.

Kabarak University Vice Chancellor Henry Kiplagat preparations for the festival were complete. 

"We are working with government security agencies from both regional and national government to ensure the learners' safety during the time of competition. The institution has what it takes to host the students," said Professor Kiplagat.

National Music Festivals Chairperson, Ruth Agesa said the festival will advocate for Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Among the items to be presented include special compositions, folk songs and dances, set pieces, and oriental music.

“Being the census year, many special compositions are expected to be anchored on the exercise while others will be on embracing CBC and child protection,” said Ms Asega.

Winners will then proceed to the East African Music and Drama Festival featuring Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi at Fort Portal,Uganda.

South Sudan and Tanzania are also expected to participate.

Winners from both national and regional festivals are also expected to secure slots in the ongoing talent development programme.

“The first batch of graduates from the talent development programme are already out and the second batch will be selected from the winners who will have cleared their studies by the end of the year,” said Asega.