The winners of the Kenya Music Festival 2023 are set to take center stage once again, this time performing before President William Ruto at Nakuru State House. The esteemed event, which witnessed the participation of around 600 classes, marked the 95th edition of the annual school music festival.
Among the standout performers was Naivasha’s Little Friends Academy, which shone brightly by clinching trophies across multiple categories. Their exceptional musical talents garnered attention and recognition throughout the festival.
The event showcased the diversity of talent and cultures present in Kenya’s educational institutions. Moi Girls Nairobi Secondary School stood out in the brand-new category Zilizovuma, impressing the audience with their adaptation and arrangement of a Sauti Soul number.
In the African Traditional Dances category, Apostolic Carmel Girls from Buruburu showcased their artistry with a captivating Buganda Cultural Dance, originally performed to entertain King Kabaka at the Palace. The same group also mesmerized the audience with an Oriental Bhangra dance from North India, a dance often performed near temples or village squares.
Pangani Girls demonstrated their vocal prowess, securing victories in both the Arabic Choral Verse class and the German Choral Verse category. The competition was fierce, but their exceptional performances earned them accolades.
Benmore Girls took the spotlight with their rendition of the set piece “Homework Stew,” while Sacho High School emerged as winners in the violin class. Mbale High School triumphed in the highly contested Zilizopendwa category of the Rest of Africa’s secular class.
Kasimbiji Primary School’s victory in the Mijikenda Folk Dance class highlighted the rich heritage of Kenyan culture. Meanwhile, the performances of Vaishna Penumucho and Harshini Pabbaraju from Ravirona Natya Nike Tan School exemplified the grace and skill of Indian classical solo dances.
The festival was further enriched by Karanda Primary School’s presentation of the Dodo dance, elegantly performed by young women and earning them the gold.
With the winners’ exceptional talents having been recognized and celebrated on a national level, the upcoming performance before President Ruto is poised to be a grand celebration of Kenya’s musical excellence.