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
… 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. …
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 …
… 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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
… 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 …
… (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 …
… 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 …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.