Nyakio takes the stage as 97th Kenya Music Festival kicks off in Meru

By Aaron Muthomi

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Meru County, Kenya – The 97th edition of the Kenya Music Festival officially begins today, running from August 3rd to 16th, and is being hosted across Meru School, Kaaga Girls High School, and Meru Teachers Training College. This year’s theme, “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development,” sets the tone for what promises to be a vibrant celebration of youth talent and culture.

Among the young stars to watch is Accra Nyakio Gachoki, a Grade 5 pupil from Kiaga Primary School in Kirinyaga County, who will be presenting a sign language poem titled “He’s Able” by Editah K.K. Representing both her school and county at the national level, Nyakio expressed her pride and excitement:

“I’m happy to present my school and my county in the national sign language category as we advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. This is my first time to present such an item.”

Dressed in her Pathfinder uniform, Nyakio recently performed the piece at Kiaga SDA Church, where she received enthusiastic support from the congregation. Her heartfelt performance aims to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for the hearing-impaired community.

The Kenya Music Festival (KMF) is a flagship talent development initiative managed by the Ministry of Education. Recognized as the largest festival of its kind in East and Central Africa, it features over 600 competitive categories in music, dance, drama, and elocution. With participation from over 3 million learners nationwide, the festival provides a powerful platform to nurture talent, cultivate national values, and address pressing societal issues.

Founded in 1948, the festival has expanded dramatically over the decades. Originally held at the Kenya National Theatre and later at KICC in Nairobi, the national event has rotated across various regions since 2006 to foster inclusivity and regional representation.

The festival follows a tiered competition structure: beginning with Zonal Level in May, then moving to Sub-County, County, Regional, and culminating at the National Festival in August. Key preparatory events include the Writers’ Workshop in November/December, where set pieces are selected and guidelines revised in collaboration with sponsors and partners.

An Adjudicators and Trainers Workshop also precedes the national event to ensure consistency in interpretation, build capacity, and align adjudication with the year’s themes. During this period, sponsors are also given the opportunity to share messages and align with the festival’s mission.

With a strong focus on using the arts as a medium for learning, inclusion, and social transformation, the Kenya Music Festival continues to inspire, empower, and unite the youth of Kenya.