2023 National Music Festivals starts in Nyeri.

NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALS KICKS OFF IN NYERI:
Music soothes lives, creates harmony and communicates critical messages.  No wonder one of the great contemporary philosophers Friedrich Nietzsche once stated that 'without music, life would be a mistake'.
Nyeri Governor H.E Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga officially opened the 95th Edition of the National Music Festivals today. The event is being held at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, in the outskirts of Nyeri town.
The festivals, one of the biggest in Africa, has brought together over 130, 000 pupils and students from pre-primary, secondary and post –secondary institutions. The 12 – day-engagement is aimed at showcasing the best talents in the creative arts.
“We are indeed honored to host the 2023 National Music Festivals. This is also the second time that Nyeri has had the onus of hosting this festival.  This event is a culmination of various events that have been undertaken all the way from the local level across the nation. It therefore reflects the diversity and commitment of the people of Kenya in not only promoting talent but also preserving our cultural heritage,” noted the Governor.
The festival is a forum for students to interact, learn, practice and appreciate their culture and that of other communities through various genres of art.
The program is featuring the diversity of African languages and culture, and global influences through Western, Oriental and Islamic Cultures. Also pop music, a form of music that appeals to a very wide audience, is among 600 classes that students in basic, tertiary and higher education institutions will showcase during the Music fete.
This year’s theme is, ‘Nurturing talent for innovation and national development.’
“My government recognizes the immense value of supporting and sustaining the National Music Festival and other events that provide development opportunities for our youths. I therefore wish to assure you of our support to make this event fruitful,” the Governor promised.
Kenya Music Festivals National Chairman Prof. Frederick Ngala noted that the creative economy sector contributes immensely towards economic growth of developed and middle-income polities.
The Executive Secretary, Janet Langat said the participants from across the country will showcase the rich and rainbow-tinged cultures that define Kenya as a nation.
Music festival is part of the strategy to enable students in the East African Community to embrace the spirit of integration which lie at the centre of the member states.
Nyeri County will also gain economically for the days the event will be held in the area.
Others present were DeKUT acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Muchiri, CECs Margaret Macharia (Education), Dr. Joseph Kiragu (Health), Eng. Abdi Hanif (Transport) among others.