Uasin Gishu Governor H.E Dr Jonathan Bii on Wednesday presided over the official opening of the county cultural and music festivals. The festivals will be staged at Home Craft Pioneer until Saturday.

Bringing together over 50 cultural and music groups, the event would culminate in selection of the best groups that will participate in the upcoming National festivals slated for December 2024.

Speaking during the event, Governor Dr. Bii underscored the importance of music and culture which he said play a key role in fostering cohesion.

“It is important to agree that we need to promote unity through music and culture,” the county boss said.

Governor Dr. Bii further said plans are underway to set up a place where practice of music and culture will be done.

The Governor also challenged participants who will be selected to represent the county at the national level to use the opportunity to showcase the county’s rich cultural diversity and vibrancy at the fete’s top echelon.

On his part, County Executive Committee Member for Education, Vocational Training, Gender, Social Protection and Culture, Mr Anthony Sitienei called upon groups that will participate in the National cultural and music event to maintain discipline.

He also affirmed the commitment of the county to support them. Similar sentiments were shared by the Chief Officer for Culture Mrs Eunice Suter.

Suter thanked the Governor for supporting the groups to showcase their talents and promised to perform exemplary. “we are pursuing position one in the nationals”. she pledged.

This year’s Nationals themed “Our culture, our wealth” will be held in Taita-Taveta County.

On his part, Director for Culture Mohamed Dakane cautioned that poor performance at the National level will not be accepted.

Last year, Uasin Gishu County finished overall second.

“We want to promise that we will take position one this year… it’s time we took that 1st position,” the Director of Culture said.