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Sunday, 13 September 2026
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Sunday, 13 September 2026
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Kenyan press · Event

Kenya Music Festival

Also known as: KMF · 2026 Kenya Music Festival · Nairobi Regional Kenya Music Festival · 98th edition of the Kenya Music Festival · Kenya National Music Festival · 98th Kenya National Music Festival · National Kenya Music Festival · 98th National Kenya Music Festival · 98th Kenya Music Festivals

2026-07-012026-09-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. The Standard

    Addressing residents at Bukembe last week after attending the Kenya Music Festival gala at Bungoma State Lodge, Ruto endorsed Barasa's bid, signalling growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Didmus Barasa bets on eradicating grassthatched houses in bid to win Bungoma governorship
  3. Citizen Digital

    Ruto awards Ksh.150 million to schools that performed at Kenya Music Festival By Brian Kimani August 14, 2026 02:36 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter President William Ruto speaking to village elders from all

    Ruto awards Ksh.150 million to schools that performed at Kenya Music Festival
  4. Citizen Digital

    ION: Beyond the Stage: Kenya's arts are now a core economic engine By Guest Writer August 14, 2026 02:25 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Performers during the State Concert for the 98th Kenya Music Festival

    OPINION: Beyond the Stage: Kenya's arts are now a core economic engine
  5. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeThe creme de la creme of the Kenya Music Festival opened its winners’ concert at Kibabii University with a spectacular celebration of Kenya’s cultural diversity, as learners from different communities used music, dance and traditional instruments to tell stories

    Music festival becomes a tapestry of Kenya's cultures, unity and heritage
  6. The Standard

    The Kenya Music Festival opened its Winners’ Concert at Kibabii University, Bungoma, bringing together some of the country’s finest young musical and artistic talent in a colourful celebration of faith, culture, education, unity and social responsibility.

    Music, faith and culture take centre stage as Kenya's finest showcase creativity
  7. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeThe battle for supremacy among Kenya’s universities has intensified at the 98th Kenya National Music Festival, with institutions showcasing musical excellence, cultural heritage and artistic creativity as they compete for the coveted national crown at Kibabii Uni

    Universities battle for the crown as Kenya Music Festival reaches a crescendo
  8. Citizen Digital

    Speaking during the Ministry of Education Gala at the 98th Kenya Music Festival in Kibabii University, TSC Chairperson Dr Jamleck Muturi announced that the Commission is formally integrating co-curricular achievements into its promotion metrics, offering a massive incentive for e

    Gov't offers teachers more incentives to improve students' welfare
  9. Citizen Digital

    (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Vihiga Boys High School was crowned the national champion of Class 493, Zilizopendwa with Live Instrumental Accompaniment, at the 98th Kenya Music Festival

    Western Giants dominate high-stakes live band ‘Zilizopendwa’ at music festival
  10. The Standard

    reasingly digital world where marketing and advertisements have become vibrant, engaging parts of our daily lives through platforms like Facebook and Instagram Reels, corporate Kenya has found an equally dynamic, physical stage to connect with audiences - the Kenya Music Festival

    National Music Festival gains momentum
  11. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeLearners with disabilities have used the 98th Kenya Music Festival national edition to champion inclusive education.

    Special Needs learners call for inclusive learning at Kenya Music Festival

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Kimilili MP Barasa pitches housing initiative for Bungoma governor race

    Didmus Barasa, who has declared interest in the Bungoma governor seat, is intensifying efforts to eradicate grass-thatched homes through an initiative called "Ondoa Nyasi," pledging to expand the programme to cover more households if he wins the gubernatorial race next year.

    19 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 14 August

  1. Ruto directs Ksh.5 million to each Kenya Music Festival school

    President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to provide Ksh.5 million to each of the close to 30 institutions that participated in the 98th Kenya Music Festival State Concert at State Lodge, Bungoma, with the total allocation expected to exceed Ksh.150 million for infrastructure improvement and creative talent development.

    14 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Kenya's arts sector emerging as significant economic driver

    An opinion piece argues that Kenya's creative economy is becoming a core engine of economic growth, with the arts sector strengthened by global shifts toward valuing human creativity and digital skills in the AI age. The author cites the 98th National Kenya Music Festival and notes that Kenya is demonstrating educational synergy between arts and technology, while developed nations still adjust their policies.

    14 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 13 August

  1. Kenya Music Festival celebrates cultural diversity through traditional performances

    The Kenya Music Festival's winners' concert at Kibabii University showcased learners from different communities performing music, dance and traditional instruments representing Kenyan ethnic groups, offering younger generations an opportunity to learn traditions while promoting national cohesion and cultural preservation.

    13 August 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Kenya Music Festival Winners' Concert celebrates youth talent

    The Kenya Music Festival's Winners' Concert at Kibabii University in Bungoma brought together young musical and artistic talent in a celebration of faith, culture, education, unity and social responsibility, with performances carrying messages about values that hold communities together.

    12 August 2026 · The Standard

  2. Universities compete at Kenya National Music Festival

    Kenya's universities are competing at the 98th Kenya National Music Festival in Bungoma County, held from August 7 to 14, showcasing musical excellence, cultural heritage and artistic creativity under the theme "Enhancing the Creative Economy through Knowledge, Skills and Artistic Production for Sustainable Development." Institutions including Kabarak University and Mount Kenya University are performing various musical pieces and competing for the national crown.

    12 August 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 11 August

  1. TSC to include co-curricular activities in teacher promotions

    The Teachers Service Commission announced that teachers who dedicate time to training students in music, drama, sports, science, and creative arts will now have co-curricular achievements formally integrated into career progression metrics.

    11 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 8 August

  1. Vihiga Boys High School wins national music festival live band competition

    Vihiga Boys High School won the Class 493 Zilizopendwa with Live Instrumental Accompaniment category at the 98th Kenya Music Festival held at Kibabii University, performing a rendition of Tabu Ley's Amilo. Senende Boys came second and defending champions Ugenya High School took third place.

    8 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 6 August

  1. National Music Festival enters fifth day in Bungoma County

    The National Music Festival in Bungoma County has showcased talent from both established and little-known schools. Standout performers include Utwiini Primary School from Makueni County, which finished second in its category, along with winners in various competitions including Nzoia Sugar School in Choral Music for Junior Schools and Highlands Junior School in the Swahili Choral Verse category for Junior Schools.

    6 August 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Special needs learners champion inclusive education at Kenya Music Festival

    Learners with disabilities performed at the 98th Kenya Music Festival national edition, calling for greater investment in assistive technologies, accessible learning environments, and equal opportunities. The festival has placed Special Needs Education at the heart of celebrations, becoming a platform for national conversation on disability inclusion and unlocking the potential of learners living with disabilities.

    5 August 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Government pushes commercialisation of student creative talents for economic growth

    Kenya's government announced plans to commercialise student talents to tap into the global creative economy, aligning educational programmes with national economic priorities. The Basic Education Principal Secretary stated the state aims to turn co-curricular activities into viable economic pathways as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

    4 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Music festival students compete for Ksh.2.5 million at nationals

    Students across the country will compete for a Ksh.2.5 million prize pot at this year's Kenya Music Festival nationals, to be held at Kibabi University in Bungoma County, after Equity Bank provided the funds for categories it sponsors.

    29 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Music festival learners promote online safety and data privacy

    At Kenya Music Festival regional competitions, learners use music, poetry, dance and elocution to advocate for online safety, data protection, responsible internet use, and other social issues. Performances emphasized the dangers of digital platform misuse, including misinformation and cyberbullying, urging peers to verify information before sharing.

    8 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Girls' schools dominate Kenya Music Festival; boy child participation declining

    Girls' schools swept most top honours across choral verse, folk songs, traditional dances, and instrumental performances at the Nairobi Regional Kenya Music Festival. Education stakeholders are calling for separate competition categories for boys and girls to address the steady marginalisation of boys in the event.

    7 July 2026 · The Standard

  2. Learners use music festival performances to champion conservation and peace

    At the 98th Kenya Music Festival, learners are using poetry, music, dance and elocution to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges. A school from Taita-Taveta County demonstrated high performances with messages on financial literacy, environmental conservation, human-wildlife conflict, integrity, education, peace and youth empowerment.

    7 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 6 July

  1. Girls' schools dominate Nairobi Kenya Music Festival competitions

    Girls' schools swept top honours across most competitive classes at the Nairobi Region Kenya Music Festival, with Karen C Girls winning every class it entered, while education stakeholders expressed concern that boys are steadily withdrawing from the festival.

    6 July 2026 · The Standard

  2. Kenya's learners use music and dance to address societal challenges

    Through Kenya Music Festival performances under the Competency-Based Education curriculum, learners are using creativity to confront issues including drug abuse, environmental conservation, mental health, and climate change—addressing real problems they encounter daily—yet many adults and parents remain unwilling to listen.

    6 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 2 July

  1. Kenya Music Festival Nairobi regionals showcase student talent

    The Kenya Music Festival Nairobi regional competitions kicked off at Buruburu Girls High School, with hundreds of learners from senior schools across Nairobi performing in traditional folk songs, choral pieces, sacred music, original compositions, spoken word, Afrobeat and Hip-Hop. Students used performances to raise awareness on tuberculosis, promote responsible tax payment, and inspire hope and social responsibility.

    2 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Kenya Music Festival 2026 integrates professional artists to mentor students

    The 2026 Kenya Music Festival, underway under President Ruto's creative economy agenda, will integrate professional artists who are not necessarily teachers into the program to mentor students. This year's festival theme focuses on enhancing the creative economy through artistic expression for sustainable development.

    1 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Kenya Music Festival — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute