Zilizopendwa: Students reminisce on the old good days at music fete

Students perform during the Kenya National Music Festival at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri County. [George Orido, Standard]

The Zilizopendwa class lived to its billing as students mounted brass and wind instruments to bring the yesteryear in Benga and Lingala music to life at the ongoing annual Kenya National Music Festival in Nyeri.

Young musicians from secondary schools took centre stage to a full house given the Zilizopendwa music also rendered as Arrangement of African Pop music.

Machakos Girls School and Machakos Boys High did a collaboration to render 'Ndaya' by Mpongo Love.

The song was dedicated to the departed sister of the arranger and conductor Kavekhere who will be buried this coming weekend.

"My sister left us this week and today we dedicate this soulful song to her in celebration of her life," said Kavehere who was accompanied by the producer Kahi Indimuli who also doubles as the National Chairman of Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA).

Lukenya Academy from Eastern and Agoro Sare High from Nyanza found themselves with a similar choice of Azda by T.P.O.K Jazz.

The number is in praise of a new car model Azda that is just about to replace the Volkswagen (People's Car) and the song describes its new comfort of safety, reliability, comfort and sheer aesthetics.

Central Kenya had Alliance High School bringing Les Wanyinka's Tamaa Mbaya in a choice that elevated the category's spirit of never-ending innovation and creativity.

The song depicts a rather greedy character who has his eyes on almost everything and covets anything in sight.

He is warned of the consequences of his insatiable desires.

The master of Zilizopendwa, Philip Kisia, took a detour from Congolese Lingala and Kenyan Benga to the far lands of South Africa with his powerhouse Chavakali High School and with Lucky Dube's Together As One.

Thrilling performance during the Kenya National Music Festival at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri County. [George Orido, Standard]

"If dogs can forgive each other why can't we as human beings?" asks Dube the Reggae great who was downed in Johannesburg by a robber's bullet to the shock of the World.

The boys gave a good account of themselves as they danced to the reggae off-beats.

The theme of respect for one another runs into Mugoiri Girls' choice of Tshala Mwana's evergreen song Nasi Nabali.

In the song, she exalts a woman's respect and indicates a ring as the ultimate sign of trust and love from a man.

In other words when a man truly loves a woman, then he must marry her officially.

Le Grand Mopao aka Koffi Olomide made it on stage for this secular episode of Zilizopendwa when Pumwani Boys presented Andoradha.

The song is a deep reflection on the people who behave too holy and judgemental against others.

"While they go to the extent of wearing clothes that make them look sacred, their behaviour out of the public view is evil," he says calling on them to stop leaving a lie.

Troupe in action during the Kenya National Music Festival at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri County. [George Orido, Standard]

Strength of a Woman originally done by Shaggy was well arrested by Koitalel High School as arranged by Daniel Asige.

The song is in awe of the woman and depicts the numerous successes and roles of the woman in society.

Also performing were Sacred Heart Mombasa, Kipsigis Girls as well as Ugenya High School.

Speaking at the event, the CEO and Executive Director of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Prof Charles Ong'ondo said the festival has offered students a great opportunity to implement and experience the Competency-Based Curriculum first hand.

"We have sponsored a class on CBC at the festival and we are impressed by the quality of presentations from ECD, Primary, Junior, Senior Secondary, universities, and colleges," he said adding that KICD own choir is participation at the fete.

The National Chairman of the Kenya Music Festival Prof Frederick Ngala thanked KICD for the support they have accorded the festival.