Pupils remember August 7 bombing warming Kenyans to exercise caution against terror

Pupils perform at the ongoing Kenya Music festival held at the Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri. [George Orido/Standard]

Pupils took to the stage to share their message on how to prevent terror attacks at the ongoing music festival.

In their performances, they appealed for vigilance, co-operation with law enforcement agencies and asked the youth to resist being lured into joining extremist groups.

The message came two days after Kenyans marked 20 years since the worst terror attack in Nairobi, where more than 200 people were killed in US Embassy bombings.

Performing on day three of the 92nd edition of the Kenyan Music Festival yesterday, Magadi Prmary School from Kisumu presented 'Tulinde Nchi Yetu', asking all and sundry to protect the motherland.

Written by Sam Adei, the pupils wondered why merchants of terror kill and main innocent citizens.

Tetu Girls from Nyeri asked Kenyans to embrace Nyumba Kumi as a safety net saying "you must know your neighbour and must know the visitors.”

To buttress the message, ACK Khasoko Primary School warned Kenyans against being divided.

Other schools that participated in this class sponsored by the Kenya Police Service included Living Fountain, Nkoilelea, Kipsigor, Kanjai, Kiburunga, Thika Road and Upper Hill Primary Schools.

And Luo, Luhya and Suba traditional cultural dance groups raised the dust with high-octane moves and beats.

Dago Kowuor beat a highly talented group of 14 competitors with a Luo Ramogi dance, performed to welcome young warriors from a victorious escapade and during happy occasions.

In a graceful fashion, Kiranda Primary School took a decent second position with their dodo dance, about virgin girls who are ready to settle down upon proper marriage procedures and rituals.

The movements are concentrated on the waistline with the heavy sisal skirts (owalo) making them look like peacocks in a pride parade.

Awach Primary School also rendered the Ramogi dance style led by John Oyugi.

Equally beautiful to watch were dances derived from the Bukusu, Samia, Idoho and Isukha.

Nyamira Primary School from Trans Nzoia, for instance, rendered a Bukusu dance Kamabeka that involves movement of the shoulders.

Led by the talented Litungu lyre player Simon Wawire, the boys were on fire as they articulated positive values of love and care to the attentive audience.

Also performing Kamabeka were Sirisia Primary School pupils, who sang about a lost-cow Narulinga that the community sought its return.

Kindangole, Carmel Hill, Mission of Hope Boys, Rock of Ages, Angalo AIC, Mwibale and Buchnagu primary schools also presented performances in this class.

Gabriella Odhiambo from Logos Primary School beat a group of talented musicians in playing woodwind instrument with a high mark of 89 per cent.

Her colleague Nyambura Wamae was second with 88 per cent while Ian Mwangi from St Mary’s School took the third position with 85 per cent.

Releasing results in this category, adjudicator Mark Barasa Mukoya warned teachers not to alter scores.

“It is a serious offence out there and it might land you in jail,” he cautioned as he presented the comments together with his colleague Fred Wekesa of Maseno University.