Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am delighted for this opportunity and great pleasure to welcome you to our Great County of Nyeri. We are indeed honored to host the 92nd Edition of the National Music Festivals.This is also the very first time in the recent past 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.
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”. We are truly privileged to be hosting in excess of 120,000 students and pupils in 37 of our local institutions across the county.
Ladies and gentlemen, The National Music Festival has its roots at pre independence times which means that majority of us here are younger than this festival. The event has been undertaken consistently with the ardent organization of the Ministry of Education. It has attracted a lot of interest over the years and contributed greatly to development of talents in the areas of music and performing arts. Quite a number of great artists in Kenya attribute their early growth and opportunities to this festival. My government recognizes the immense value of supporting and sustaining the National Music Festival and other events that provide development opportunities for our youths. A week is hardly gone since we hosted the National Primary Schools Games in this county. I therefore wish to assure you of our support to make this event fruitful. I am informed that a very rich program has been lined up with performances featuring the diversity of African languages and culture, and global influences through Western, Oriental and Islamic Cultures. I look forward to enjoying some of these performances. Similarly, I encourage the people of Nyeri and especially our youthful population to join in and savor the same.
Ladies and gentlemen, This event and its offerings is a perfect reminder of the value of unity in the Country. It also reminds us of our duty to defend the heritage and splendor of our homeland Kenya, as aptly captured in our National Anthem. The event also comes at an opportune time when the President has reiterated his call to unity and upholding our national values in delivering services. At such a time everyone is a winner. I wish to remind you of the numerous career opportunities that are now available in music and performing arts. Opportunities exist in the entire value chain from production, directing, to actual performances and related industries such as production of equipment.
Those of you with talents and interests in this area should therefore pursue them relentlessly. Our recent history as a country is replete with personalities who have made marks in these areas and continue to reap huge benefits. In our own backyard, we have the likes of Esther Wahome, Jaguar, John Njagi among-st others that we celebrate. So we do not need to look too far beyond our horizons. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to highlight the fact that the Kenya music festival organizing committee has been known for its stringent measures at curbing indiscipline throughout the festival. This is highly commended and my expectations remain an all time high ,that this same spirit will be maintained here.
As I conclude, I encourage you to participate fully in this event and enjoy what the County of Nyeri has to offer in terms of cuisine, hotels, touristic sites and the warmth of the people.
May your visit to Nyeri and participation in this event be a memorable experience! I now wish to declare the 92nd KENYA National Music Festival officially open.
God Bless You
God Bless Kenya
#KenyaMusicFestivals2018