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Culture

Makueni Shines as Kenya Music Festival Curtains Fall

The annual Kenya Music and Cultural Festival closed its curtains on Monday with a colourful gala performance, marking the end of a vibrant seven-day celebration of creativity.

Attended by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer Dr Josyllyn Nzilani and the County Cultural Officers, the festival brought together cultural groups, choirs, soloists, film producers and exhibitors from across the country—each weaving their story into the national tapestry of art.

Makueni County stood tall, delivering stellar performances across multiple categories.

The Makueni County Choir scooped top positions in Class 442B with “How Beautiful Are Thy Feet”, Class 443D with an adaptation and arrangement, Class 441B, Class 441A and Class 442A.

In solo categories, Ruth Wambua popularly known as ‘Mama Mercy’ topped Class 105 for her captivating chant “Namukawa ni Aka” with Kee Botanical Gardens also securing position one in traditional medicine exhibition—its fourth consecutive win.

Other notable achievements included second positions for Justus Paul (Class 1312C), the County Informercial team (Class 301B), and the choir’s “All We Like Sheep.”

This year’s theme, “Threads of Culture, Weaves of Opportunity,” highlights how arts create not just beauty, but pathways for economic growth, talent development and cultural pride.

MAKUENI MELODIES LIGHT UP ELDORET

Earlier today, the Makueni County Choir stepped on stage with vibrant a cappella flair, delivering a rhythmic and soulful rendition of “Dot Com Lady” under Class 451, Zilizopendwa Kenyan.

Their voices danced in harmony—smooth, sweet, and stirring—earning warm applause at the Kenya Music and Cultural Festival taking place at Moi Girls Secondary School in Eldoret.

A performance where rhythm met nostalgia, and Makueni’s musical spirit shone bright.

MAKUENI CHOIR HEADS TO ELDORET IN STYLE

The Makueni County Choir has been officially flagged off to represent the county at the annual Kenya Music and Cultural Festival in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu.

Entering the competition as the reigning overall choir champions, the choir will showcase their talent in set piece, own composition, mixed voices, zilizopendwa, adaptation arrangements, gospel pieces, and more.

During the prayer-filled flag-off ceremony, Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer, Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani reaffirmed the county’s dedication to nurturing talent.

She noted that such platforms not only inspire creativity but also position Makueni’s artists for commercial growth and national recognition.

With confidence and artistry, the team carries the pride of Makueni to Eldoret—ready to defend their crown.

CULTURE MEETS CARE: KMTC MAKUENI CELEBRATES DIVERSITY

Makueni KMTC, Wote Campus came alive on friday, as medical students celebrated the third annual Cultural Day under the theme “Beyond Borders; One Medicine, Many Cultures.”

The theme highlights how medicine, though practiced globally, is enriched by diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions.

The vibrant event showcased colorful cultural attire, traditional music and even creative rap performances. Students also thrilled the crowd with innovative outfits inspired by their medical training and blending creativity with their profession.

The Campus Principal Mary Kioko who was joined by Culture Director Mutua Mulonzya applauded the event’s growing impact, describing it as a powerful celebration of diversity that continues to unite students through culture and creativity.

Jointly organized by the college and the Makueni County Department of Culture, the event is steadily gaining traction—with corporate sponsors now eyeing future partnerships to support this unique fusion of health and heritage.

MAKUENI CHOIR TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE PRESTIGIOUS WINNERS CONCERT.

The Makueni County choir had the honor of performing at the Winners Concert, held on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya.

The concert celebrated creme de la creme performances from the recently concluded Kenya Music and Cultural Festival, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and diversity.

The performance was attended by several senior government officials, including Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Ms. Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture & Heritage, and Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Makueni’s CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism.

MAKUENI COUNTY SHINES AT THE 97TH EDITION OF THE KMCF

Makueni County has showcased exceptional talent at the ongoing 97th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival held at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, Voi.

In Class 105, featuring own-choice solo performances of chants, dirges, lullabies and work songs, Ruth Wambua and Munyao Mwonga clinched 1st and 2nd positions, respectively earning trophies for their outstanding solo performances.

The County Choir also took 1st place in Class 301B for their rendition of an accredited Western sacred or secular piece in the chamber choir female voices category.

The choir also secured 2nd place in Class 481 for an original composition inspired by the festival theme.

In the fiercely contested Class 443A, the County Choir triumphed with a 1st-place finish for their rendition of the set piece Kenya Naipenda by Farah Davis.

Additionally, they also took 5th place in Class 451 for their performance of Kenyan Zilizopendwa classics.

Makueni’s excellence extended beyond music, with Kee Botanical Gardens clinching 1st place in Class 1402 for their exhibition of traditional medicine, followed by Posha Medicina, also from Makueni, in 2nd place.

These achievements highlight Makueni County’s rich cultural heritage and outstanding musical and artistic talent.

MAKUENI YAADHIMISHA SIKU YA KISWAHILI DUNIANI

Serikali ya Kaunti ya Makueni kupitia Idara ya Biashara, Masoko, Viwanda, Utamaduni na Utalii ikiongozwa na Waziri Sonia Nzilani leo imeadhimisha siku ya lugha ya Kiswahili duniani katika shule ya upili ya mabanati ya Makueni.

Siku ya Lugha ya Kiswahili Duniani ilianza Julai 7, elfu mbili na ishirini na mbili. Maadhimisho haya yalianzishwa na shirika la UNESCO ili kutambua umuhimu wa Kiswahili, lugha inayozungumzwa na watu wengi zaidi barani Afrika. Siku hii inaadhimisha jukumu la lugha katika kukuza tofauti za kitamaduni, kukuza umoja, na kuwezesha mawasiliano katika bara la Afrika na kwingineko.

Daktari Sonia aliwahimiza wanafunzi kutilia mkazo lugha ya Kiswahili kwa masomo yao kwa sababu lugha hii ni tajika na imeweza kufanywa lugha rasmi katika Jumuia ya Afrika Mashariki na Kati na pia kuanzishwa katika mitaala katika nchi za Magharibi. Maadhimisho haya yalihusu michezo ya kuigiza, neno nenwa, hadithi za urafa, utangazaji na nyimbo za Utamaduni.

Kwa kuongezea, lengo kuu la idara ya Utamanduni, Muziki na Sanaa Makueni ni kujenga tamaduni zetu na kuhakikisha lugha ya Kiswahili inaleta hisia za stahiki na ubunifu katika shule zetu na kwingineko.

Baadhi ya waliokuwemo ni mwalimu mkuu Bi. Mary Akoth, mkurungezi wa Utalii Bi. Dianah Muli miongoni mwa maafisa na waalimu wengine. Kwengineko, Maadhimisho kama haya Afrika Mashariki yalifanyika katika Ngome ya Yesu (Fort Jesus) leo kufuatia usiku wa Kiswahili uliosherehekewa hapo jana.

KiswahiliKidumu

WOTE, KMTC CAMPUS

On Friday, the County’s Culture, Music, and Arts Directorate in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) hosted the annual college’s Cultural Day at Wote Campus.

Talented medical students showcased their creativity through various cultural performances including a beauty pageant and creative wear.

The Wote Campus KMTC drama team along with other institutions and groups has been actively participating in the annual Kenya Music Cultural Festival, representing Makueni County with sponsorship from the Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism.

This cultural day is a build-up for participation in the 97th KMCF edition in December 2024 notwithstanding celebration of the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches the institution, highlighting the integral role of cultural activities in fostering community spirit and unity of the school.

MSME DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

The Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism through the directorate of Trade, Marketing and Industry is mandated to develop and implement Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development programs in the county.
In this regard, a 2-day training session to assist MSMEs unlock their business potential was organized. The training scheduled for 10th & 11th June 2024 at Acacia Hotel in Wote, Makueni County covered the following areas;
i) Getting started
ii) Business registration and licensing in the county
ii) Capital requirements
iii) Access to financing and financial management
iv) Development of networks and partners
v) Introduction to export trade
vi) Development of export market strategies
vii) Product development, product certification and branding for export
viii) Identifying export markets and linkages
For effective implementation, the department engaged various stakeholders including Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), Kenya Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Makueni Revenue Office.