AKA,Mombasa student becomes national champion in Kenya Music Festival for 2010

2010 Kenya Music Festival, held at the provincial headquarters of Western Province, was the greatest single cultural event in Africa this year . With close on 80,000 participants annually the festival has continued to attract people from different parts of the nation and beyond. It is particularly exciting that the festival continues to move away from the capital city of Nairobi where it used to be held since 1927. In the spirit of taking the festival to the people, the festival has been staged in Nairobi (1927-2005), Nakuru (2006-2007), Kisumu (2008), Mombasa, at Aga Khan Academy (2009) and this year in Kakamega. Western Province has always prided itself as the “home” of Kenya’s music and the festival this year was taken “home” for the first time since 1927.

At the festival, Kenyans/Africans celebrate their cultural heritage and it is an extravaganza of music, dance and elocution. The festival involves the widest range of entries from nursery, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities. Through students’ involvement they find avenues of self expression and also learn important cultural values and practices of our nation and Africa in general.

It’s important to take cognizance of the fact that the festival has been in existence for 83 years. It’s equally important to note that each year’s festival is always uniquely special and memories linger on for many years long after the end of the festival. One such memory is Sameer Shah, a 10 year old student, from the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. Directed by Mr. Philip Agutu, a guru in classical music who has won these categories for the last four consecutive years with different singers, Sameer managed, in his first attendance at the festival to soar high from the divisional, district, provincial and national levels. Sameer scooped honors and first place in Opera and third place in Set Piece Solo, both in the 12 years and under class. We are proud of our national champion.