National Music Festival enters fourth day as competition intensifies in Bungoma

The ongoing National Music Festival at Kibabii University in Bungoma County has entered its fourth day, with competition intensifying as schools from across the country battle for top honours.

Several schools making their debut at the national event have impressed judges and audiences with outstanding performances.

Among the standout performers is Utwiini Primary Junior Secondary School from Mbooni in Makueni County, which finished second in one of the music categories it has contested.

Organisers say this year's edition is the largest ever held in the country, bringing together more than 100,000 learners from across Kenya.

The festival is expected to conclude on August 14, with the overall winners earning an opportunity to perform before the President at State House in recognition of their talent and creativity.

Utwiini Primary Junior Secondary School headteacher Peter Musyoki said the school had adequately prepared before travelling to Bungoma for the competition.

"We arrived here on Saturday for the competition, and we were very prepared to present two songs which had won in the Eastern region. So far we have sung one song, 'Eko mama kwa kunilea, nitakununulia zawadi,' and we are expecting to perform the second, which talks about the Public Service Commission. Tunaisifu na kuonyesha kazi ambayo inafanywa na PSC."

Musyoki said the competition has been highly competitive, noting that the school secured second place in its opening performance.

"Mashindano yako hali ya juu lakini tunashindana kiume. In the first session of 211, we garnered 86 points and emerged second," he said.

He, however, cited the high cost of transport as a major challenge, saying the school relied on support from the Makueni County government to attend the festival.

"Shida kubwa tulilopata ni transport sababu kutoka Makueni kuja hapa gari linahitaji Ksh.120,000, which is very expensive for a public primary school in the rural areas. Tulisaidiwa na Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. na tunashukuru for the opportunity to be here. The kids are very happy," added Musyoki.