Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has today, Friday, September 23, 2022, arrived in Kisumu County for the 94th Kenya Music Festival at Kisumu Girls High School.
This marks his first trip to the county since the August 9 election.
The country's second-in-command was accompanied by outgoing Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) George Magoha, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Veronica Maina, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Bomet women representative among other Kenya kwanza leaders.
Also Read:
The DP is representing President William Ruto who is out of the country on official trips.
Moments after he arrived, Gachagua dressed in a floral shirt, a pair of khaki-like pants and a pair of sunglasses was ushered in by Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyongo and Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir.
Shortly after welcoming the DP, Governor Nyong'o took to his social media to announce his arrival in the county.
“Receiving the Deputy President H.E Rigathi Gachagua at Kisumu International Airport ahead of the official closing of the 94 Kenya Music Festival happening in the great county of Kisumu.”Nyong'o wrote.
The former Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) is expected to award the winners in the music festival competition that commenced on September 17, 2022.
What music festival entails
A music festival is a large annual event featuring learners performing, identifying and nurturing artistic talent.
The festival features learners from ECD, Primary, Secondary, college and University students country-wide.
In the competitions set to end today, September 23, 2022, students present songs and dances before judges and adjudicators, after that winners are awarded trophies and certificates.
Leading schools are expected to perform at the Kisumu State House during the state concert on Saturday, September 24, 2022, where President Ruto is expected to be present as the guest of honour.
Organizers of the event had earlier stated that they were yet to get a confirmation of his attendance.
Music festival resumes
The festival was resumed after a two-year lull occasioned by the Corona Virus pandemic.
At the time, Education Principal Secretary Julius Jwan announced that the government had allowed the resumption of co-curricular activities across learning institutions countrywide.
While urging schools and teachers to prepare adequately for the competitions, Jwan expressed that the co-curriculum activities were crucial for the well-being of learners
"The Ministry of Education in consultation with key stakeholders has decided that co-curricular activities resume fully in all basic learning institutions. In term two, 2022, primary and secondary school sports and music will be activated,' he stated.
Acting KMF Executive secretary Janet Langat also announced that music directors would be using the 2021 syllabus to attract extra classes in accordance with this year's theme 'Kenya My Pride, My Future'.
"I wish to inform you that w shall be using the 2021 KMF syllabus and set pieces during this year's festival; however, some additional set pieces will be communicated to you," Langat stated at the time.
"More information on the festival will follow in due course. Schools are therefore advised to start training their teams," she added
Steve Ouko, the festival's treasurer for tertiary institutions, noted that the event would be a wonderful experience for learners following the 2-year lull.
The finals for the festival were hosted by Kisumu Girls, Kisumu Boys and Arya Primary school.
