Concern as boys lag behind in Kenya Music Festival participation
Education
By
Mike Kihaki
| Aug 17, 2025
As Kenya transitions to senior secondary pathways, questions are being raised about the participation of learners in co-curricular activities, particularly the balance between boys and girls.
Prof. Fredrick Ngala, chairman of the Kenya Music Festival, expressed concerns at the declining participation of boys in the just-concluded National Music Festival, which brought together learners from early childhood education, primary schools, junior secondary, senior schools, and universities.
Speaking At Sagana Lodge during State Concert attended by President William Ruto, Prof Ngala said of the 140,000 learners who took part in the festival, only 45,000 were male, compared to more than 95,000 female participants. He noted that out of the 600-plus classes showcased, the majority were represented by girls.
“The female students participating in this festival are slightly over 95,000. The male students participating in the festival has been slightly over 45,000. Meaning sir, that we have to take affirmative action to enable the boy child to participate in the festival,” Prof. Ngala said.
Prof. Ngala noted that unless deliberate affirmative action is taken, especially in cultural and artistic pathways, the boy child risks being left behind in one of the most transformative phases of Kenya’s education reforms.
He added that without deliberate interventions, the imbalance could worsen as learners advance into senior secondary pathways STEM, Arts & Sports, and Social Sciences creating a generation where boys are underrepresented in arts and cultural education.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who attended the festival, called for equal opportunities across all education pathways to avoid alienating learners.
“Music speaks to our souls and helps us drive national values. It can help us fight corruption, tribalism, and violence, while nurturing integrity, hard work, and excellence,” he said.
Kindiki emphasized that none of the three senior secondary pathways of STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts & Sports should be seen as superior to another.
“STEM may build the country’s hardware, but arts and sports speak to our souls, while social sciences help us understand how to coexist as a society. Each of these pathways is equally important for nation-building, and we must defend and support them all,” the Deputy President said.
The festival also highlighted progress in teacher involvement. Out of 9,000 trainers, at least 3,920 were female, a sharp rise from 2,000 just a few years ago.
“The male leads, but the female are catching up,” Ngala noted, adding that music teachers remain too few compared to the demand.
Learners with special needs also recorded increased participation from 2,700 last year to 5,200 this year marking a milestone in inclusivity. Universities expanded their presence too, with 26 institutions participating, up from just 8 last year
Prof Ngala revealed plans to internationalize the festival, starting with a collaboration with the University of Florida, which has agreed to host Kenyan teams and co-design programs from next year.