President Ruto and Mama Rachel Host State Concert for 98th Kenya Music Festivals in Bungoma

By Christopher mbiti 

Nairobi Kenya August 14 2026

President William Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto have hosted a State Concert celebrating the 98th edition of the Kenya Music Festivals at the Bungoma State Lodge.

The event brought together talented learners, teachers, cultural practitioners, government officials and other stakeholders in the creative sector to celebrate Kenya’s rich cultural heritage through music, dance and other forms of artistic expression.

The State Concert provided a platform to showcase some of the outstanding performances from this year’s Kenya Music Festivals, which continue to play an important role in nurturing artistic talent among young Kenyans.

President Ruto, who was accompanied by Mama Rachel Ruto, commended the participants for their dedication, creativity and commitment to preserving Kenya’s diverse cultural heritage.

The President noted that music and the arts remain important tools for promoting national unity, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for young people.

The Kenya Music Festivals have for decades provided learners with an opportunity to develop their talents while exposing them to different Kenyan cultures, traditions and artistic expressions.

The 98th edition has continued that tradition, bringing together participants from different parts of the country to compete and showcase their abilities.

The choice of Bungoma as the venue for the State Concert also highlighted the cultural richness of Western Kenya and the region’s contribution to the country’s creative and performing arts sector.

Mama Rachel Ruto has continued to champion initiatives aimed at empowering young people and promoting talent development, particularly in areas that can contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the next generation.

The concert was marked by colourful performances, reflecting Kenya’s cultural diversity and the importance of preserving indigenous traditions while giving young performers a national platform.

Stakeholders in the creative industry have continued to call for greater investment in the arts, arguing that Kenya’s young talents have significant potential to contribute to the country’s cultural identity and creative economy.

The State Concert therefore served not only as a celebration of the 98th Kenya Music Festivals but also as a reminder of the role of music and culture in bringing Kenyans together.

As the country prepares for the centenary of the Kenya Music Festivals, the event in Bungoma provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements made over the decades while encouraging the next generation of performers to continue developing their talents.

The celebrations reaffirmed the importance of music festivals as platforms for talent identification, cultural preservation, national cohesion and the development of Kenya’s creative industry.

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