Rift Valley Music Festival Ends in Uasin Gishu as Top Schools Qualify for National Competition
Education officials praised the high standard of performances, saying the annual festival continues to provide an important platform for learners to develop their artistic abilities while fostering national cohesion.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Yamara Sandra
The 98th Kenya Music Festival for the Rift Valley Region came to a close on Tuesday at Hill School in Uasin Gishu County, marking the end of four days of spirited performances that showcased the artistic talents of learners from across the region.
The festival, which began on July 11, attracted thousands of learners, teachers, adjudicators, and education officials from schools across the Rift Valley. Participants competed in a wide range of categories, including music, dance, drama, spoken word, choral verse, instrumental performances, and cultural presentations.
Held under the theme “Enhancing the Creative Economy Through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development,” the event highlighted the role of creative arts in nurturing talent, preserving Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and promoting innovation among young people.
Education officials praised the high standard of performances, saying the annual festival continues to provide an important platform for learners to develop their artistic abilities while fostering national cohesion.
“The Kenya Music Festival continues to nurture talent, promote national unity and preserve our cultural heritage. We congratulate all participants for their outstanding performances,” one of the festival officials said during the closing ceremony.
Schools competed in both solo and group categories, with participants presenting traditional dances, indigenous songs, choral music, dramatized performances, and instrumental pieces before panels of adjudicators.
The regional competition also served as an avenue for cultural exchange, enabling learners from different counties to interact, appreciate diverse traditions, and strengthen teamwork through the performing arts.
For many participants, qualifying for the regional stage reflected months of preparation, discipline, and commitment.
“The learners have worked tirelessly for months. Reaching this stage is a reward for their dedication, discipline and teamwork,” a teacher accompanying one of the competing schools said.
Learners who took part in the festival described the experience as an opportunity to build confidence, improve their performance skills, and create lasting friendships with their peers from across the region.
“This festival has helped us build confidence, showcase our talent, and interact with learners from different counties. We are proud to represent our schools,” one participant said.
At the conclusion of the competition, adjudicators announced the top-performing schools and groups that will represent the Rift Valley Region at the National Kenya Music Festival.
The national competition is scheduled to take place from August 1 to August 14, 2026, at Kibabii University in Bungoma County, where qualifiers from all regions of the country will compete for national honors.
The successful schools expressed optimism ahead of the national championships, saying they would intensify rehearsals as they prepare to face the country’s best performers.
“We are excited to qualify for the national festival. We will continue rehearsing and hope to make our region proud,” one of the winning learners said.
The Kenya Music Festival remains one of the country’s longest-running co-curricular programs, providing learners with a platform to nurture creativity, strengthen communication skills and celebrate Kenya’s cultural diversity through music and the performing arts.
About Author
