The Rift Valley Regional Kenya Music Festivals entered day two on Thursday with calls for cohesion through music and cultural heritage.
Regional Coordinator Evans Keya said the aim of the festivals is to ensure there is talent growth in music, poetry and traditional narrations.
According to Mr Keya, under the theme ‘Enhancing national unity, cohesion and integration’ the event seeks to also empower youths to understand more about national cohesion.
The coordinator who spoke at Langalanga Secondary School added that music and arts should be given priority as it has contributed to jobs creation in the country.
“The festivals are aimed at growing talents in the country by enhancing national unity, cohesion and integration. Music and art should be given priority as 80 per cent of employment opportunities come from the sector,” said Keya.
The students who will emerge top in the festivals will head to the nationals that will take place at Kabarak High School in August this year.
Those who will emerge victorious in the nationals will perform at the State House gala as well as the East African Concert later in August.
Mr Keya further lauded the government through the Ministry of Education for supporting the event.
“The winning items will move to the next level which is the nationals. But I must commend the national government through the Ministry of Education for supporting the event,” he said.
One of the Regional adjudicators Mr Wycliffe Obiero in an interview noted that Kenya has diverse cultures which can be used to create cohesion.
According to Obiero, this can be achieved if everyone starts appreciating the different cultures and heritage in the country.
“You must have cultural intelligence for you to be a regional or national adjudicator. In Kenya, we have different cultures and this can be a point of cohesion if we start appreciating each one of them,” said Mr Obiero.