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Students perform during the 98th Kenya Music Festival at Buruburu Girls High School on July 2, 2026. [ Jenipher Wachie, Standard]
The war against alcohol and drug abuse, femicide and the need to nurture young people’s talents took centre stage as learners used music, dance and drama to tackle pressing social issues at the Nairobi Region edition of the 98th Kenya Music Festival.
The festival, held at Buruburu Girls High School under the theme “Enhancing Creative Economy Through Knowledge, Skills and Artistic Production for Sustainable Development,” has seen thousands of learners from primary and secondary schools use artistic performances to educate society while celebrating Kenya’s rich cultural diversity.
Through emotionally charged taarab performances, choral verses, folk songs and dances, learners challenged society to confront the destructive effects of drugs and alcohol, called for greater protection of women and girls, and urged the government to invest more in rehabilitation programmes.
