Goibei Girls High School Sweep Folk Music Categories at 97th Kenya Music Festival

The folk music team delivers flawless Pokot, Marakwet, and Turkana performances, earning them an invitation to perform at a presidential gala.

Meru, Kenya – August 13, 2025

1. Lead: What Happened

Goibei Girls High School from Vihiga County stole the spotlight at the 97th Kenya Music Festival, held at Kaaga Girls High School in Meru, by clinching first place in every folk music category they entered. Their authentic renditions of Pokot, Marakwet, and Turkana melodies so impressed adjudicators that the students were often mistaken for professional cultural troupes. Their triumphant performances earned them an invitation to a presidential gala.

2. Context & Background: Why It Matters

The Kenya Music Festival is a prestigious national showcase that brings together students from all 47 counties, spanning ECDE to university levels. This year’s festival, running from August 3 to 16, was hosted across Meru County, including venues at Meru School, Kaaga Girls High School, and Meru Teachers Training College, under the theme “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development.”

Goibei Girls has long been recognized as a cultural powerhouse; this latest clean sweep further cements their reputation in folk music.

3. Detailed Breakdown: Their Winning Formula

• Presentation Quality: The group performed with such cultural fidelity and precision that adjudicators found it difficult to distinguish the students from seasoned cultural troupes.

• Training Approach: Chief Principal and music patron, Dr Rose Koech, attributed the success to a blend of discipline, cultural pride, and expert coaching. She arranged for the students to train under a specialist deeply versed in Pokot, Marakwet, and Turkana traditions.

• Cultural Roots: Many of the performers hail from Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet communities, which added authentic depth and emotional resonance to their performances.

4. Implications & Educational Significance

• Cultural Heritage: The triumph underscores the importance of arts education in preserving and celebrating Kenya’s diverse cultural traditions.

• Student Confidence: Success on this national stage boosts the performers’ confidence and reinforces cultural pride.

• National Recognition: Festive praise and the invitation to perform for the President highlight the role of cultural expression in nation-building.

5. What Comes Next

• Presidential Gala: The school’s team is now preparing to showcase their artistry at a gala event officiated by the Head of State, a rare honor that reflects national esteem.

• Legacy of Excellence: Goibei Girls High School’s achievement will likely inspire other institutions to invest in cultural programming and arts education.

6. Closing Thought

On a stage where history met melody and tradition met discipline, the Goibei Girls High School team delivered a performance that was more than a victory—it was a cultural tribute. Their journey from Vihiga to Meru and now to a presidential stage stands as a vivid testament to the power of heritage, hard work, and artistic excellence.