President William Ruto is set to host the winners of the 97th Kenya Music Festival at Sagana State Lounge on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The 97th Kenya National Music Festival (KMF) took place from August 4 to August 15, 2025, in Meru County, hosted at Meru School, Kaaga Girls High School, and Meru Teachers Training College. The theme was “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development”.

Organised by the Ministry of Education, it is the largest festival of its kind in East and Central Africa, featuring over 600 competitive categories in music, dance, drama, and elocution, with more than 3 million participants ranging from preschools to universities.

The festival showcased Kenya’s cultural diversity, fostering national unity and youth empowerment through performances such as choral pieces, traditional dances, and sign language poetry. Notable participants included Accra Nyakio Gachoki, a Grade 5 pupil who presented a sign language poem, and Kenyatta University, which won more than 30 awards, including first place in Pop Gospel Music.

Key events included competitions from August 4 to 12, Gala Concerts on August 13–14, and a State Concert at Sagana State Lodge on August 16. The festival was initially scheduled to begin on August 2 but was rescheduled to August 4, with participant arrivals on August 3.

 Some sponsors came out to facilitate the festival with Ksh25 million, aligning with their theme of financial security. They also awarded prizes, including Ksh100,000 for first place in their sponsored category.

PS Bitok recommendations

Education PS Julius Bitok emphasised the importance of monetising student talent for global cultural exports, aiming to create sustainable income through the Talent Fund.

The festival also promoted inclusivity, with performances by hearing-impaired students, and aligned with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to nurture skills, innovation, and creativity.

After showcasing and performing in front of the president at Sagana State Lounge, they will proceed to the East African level in Uganda, which is slated for August 17 to August 25, alongside winners of the Drama and Festival.

This festival wasn’t as dramatic as the drama festivals in April, which saw Butere girls being barred from performing their controversial play, Echoes of War, scripted by DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala.