Nakuru is once again alive with song, rhythm, and youthful talent as it plays host to the 97th edition of the Rift Valley Regional Music Festival.

While the city hosted the national State Concert in 2023, the comeback has stirred excitement and brought increased activity to the city, especially around schools serving as festival venues.

The event, which officially kicked off on July 8, is taking place across multiple venues in Nakuru town.

These include Afraha Secondary, Langa Langa Secondary, and Nakuru Day for primary-level learners, while secondary school performances are being hosted at Nakuru Boys, Nakuru Girls, and Upper Hill School, which will start today.

According to Rosemary Mambui, the Regional Director of Education for Rift Valley, the festival has attracted participation from 14 counties and is expected to draw a total of 90,000 learners.

“We have started with the primary section, including ECD, primary, and junior schools, and we expect to handle 40,000 students in this category,” she says, adding that the secondary section will bring in another 50,000 learners.

Residents of Nakuru should expect increased traffic in areas surrounding the hosting schools, especially during early morning and late afternoon hours, as learners and support staff move between venues.

Parking may also be limited around these zones, and parents, transporters, and vendors are advised to plan accordingly.

Beyond performance, the festival is aligned with the new education framework that emphasizes talent development as a key pathway in the curriculum. “This is not just entertainment, it’s part of the co-curricular calendar where children are guided to express and grow their talents in music, culture, and creative arts,” Mambui notes.

This regional leg of the festival runs until July 14, after which top performers will proceed to the national competition set to take place later in the month in Meru County.

Rift valley regional music festival comes to Nakuru!

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Leleti Jassor