Minister’s cash idea from music festival
Kags Joy Academy pupils from Mombasa perform a singing game during the 87th edition of Kenya Schools and Colleges Music Festival at Melvin Jones hall in Nakuru on August 5, 2013. Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi Thursday rooted for commercialisation of music presented by school children at the national festivals, saying it would benefit composers and singers.
What you need to know:
- Talents, he said, should be identified and nurtured as a way of expanding job opportunities for the youth in entertainment industry.
Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi Thursday rooted for commercialisation of music presented by school children at the national festivals, saying it would benefit composers and singers.
Prof Kaimenyi said African folk songs and golden oldies performed by primary, secondary, college and university learners should be recorded and sold through supermarkets and music stores countrywide.
“We need to recognise and reward all talents by recording and selling them to Kenyans,” he said after gracing the festivals, which entered their 11th day yesterday in Nakuru.
“All Kenyan radio stations should have a special programme running for 15 minutes every week to air all folk songs and golden oldies presented at the National Music Festivals.”
Talents, he said, should be identified and nurtured as a way of expanding job opportunities for the youth in entertainment industry.
The Education boss agreed with Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua that the winners’ gala be held at public grounds “to give Kenyans a taste of their unique diversity”.
Today, Deputy President William Ruto is expected to be the chief guest during the winners’ concert to be held at Nakuru High School. Twenty five groups are set to present their winning pieces from 9am.
Prof Kaimenyi and Mr Mbugua were speaking at Melvin Jones Hall, where African folk songs and golden oldies dominated the extravaganza in which Nairobi Metropolitan region emerged the overall winners.
The competition was characterised by cut-throat competition as all the 47 counties fought for chances to present their pieces in various categories at the national level.
Pumwani Secondary School were the overall winners in the Zilizopendwa category after scoring 95 per cent— the highest in the festivals.
In the category, participants perform songs which evoke feelings of nostalgia. Kiswahili songs from the likes of Les Wanyika, Les Mangelepa, DDC Milimani Jazz and other popular bands of the past are played.
The group received a rare standing ovation from all present after thrilling the audience with their song entitled Tojoour Ok (Always OK) by Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi.
In the composition by Mr Joseph Muyale, the composer hits out at people who are jealousy of his achievements.
Nairobi region teams dominated the winners’ list, with Mount Kenya University, Nairobi Campus, winning the Kenya Copyright Board trophy.
Others were Strathmore School, Moi Girls Nairobi, Pumwani Boys, Precious Blood, Kibera School for Girls, Upper Hill School, Kikoko Girls, Kenyatta University, Zitech College, University of Nairobi, among others.
Nzoia was voted the second best region with its top cream comprising of Erusui Girls (Best English Choral Verse), Springboard Academy that won almost all the English and Kiswahili choral verses, Lodwar Boys, Butere Girls (best public speaking category), St Philips Mukomari (best dance), and Mumias School for the Deaf.
Teams that emerged top in the host Nakuru region included Moi University Primary School and Kapsabet Boys.
Tudor Boys High School from Mombasa dominated in the Kiswahili choral verses. Kwale Girls, Likoni School for the Blind, and Kwale Special School also fared well.
In the Aberdares Region Thogoto TTC, Alliance Girls, Kagwe Girls, Muranga TTC, Kerogoya School carried the day.
In the Lake Region, the stars of Maseno University, Kiobeta DO Primary School and Nalondo Special School shone the brightest.
