President William Ruto has announced a KSh5 million allocation for every school and institution that won at the national level of the 2026 Kenya Music Festival.
The announcement was made on August 14 during the 98th Kenya Music Festival at the State Lounge in Bungoma, where schools and institutions were recognized for outstanding performances in music and creative arts.
“There are over 30 schools and colleges participating in this event today. We want to say congratulations. The Ministry of Education will provide five million shillings for every institution and every school that has participated here, so that you can improve some of the infrastructure that will support these creatives going into the future,” Ruto said.
The Best Pre-Primary School award went to Moi Forces Academy, Nairobi, while Aga Khan Academy Mombasa emerged as the Best Primary School.
Kayonzo Special School was named the Best Special Needs Education School, while Nzoia Sugar won the Best Junior School category.
Mwikhomo Special School took the Best Special Needs Education Junior School award, while Bunyore Girls was named the Best Senior School.
Murang’a School for the Hearing Impaired also emerged as the Best Special Needs Education Senior School.
Who Won at the 2026 Kenya Music Festival?
Kitui Teachers Training Centre won the Best Teachers’ Training Centre category, while Eldoret National Polytechnic was named the Best National Polytechnic. Kenyatta University emerged as the Best University.
Coast Teachers Choir was recognized as the Best Teachers’ Club and Choir, while the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) won the Best Educational Institution Staff Choir award.
Mtongwe Vocational Training Center (VTC) was named the Best Vocational Training Centre, while Nairobi County won the Best County category.
The Western Region emerged as the Best Region at the 2026 Kenya Music Festival.
Summary:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Pre-Primary School | Moi Forces Academy, Nairobi |
| Best Primary School | Aga Khan Academy Mombasa |
| Best Special Needs Education School | Kayonzo Special School |
| Best Junior School | NZoia Sugar |
| Best Special Needs Education Junior School | Mwikhomo Special School |
| Best Senior School | Bunyore Girls |
| Best Special Needs Education Senior School | Murang’a School for the Hearing Impaired |
| Best Teachers’ Training Centre | Kitui Teachers Training Centre |
| Best National Polytechnic | Eldoret National Polytechnic |
| Best University | Kenyatta University |
| Best Teachers’ Club and Choir | Coast Teachers Choir |
| Best Educational Institution Staff Choir | Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) |
| Best Vocational Training Centre | Mtongwe VTC |
| Best County | Nairobi County |
| Best Region | Western Region |
2026 KMF Theme
The 98th edition of the Kenya Music Festival was held from August 1 to August 14, 2026, at Kibabii University in Bungoma County, bringing together thousands of learners and performers from across the country.
Held under the theme “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development,” the festival featured choral, traditional, and contemporary performances to showcase talent and promote Kenya’s creative economy.
The two-week event culminated in a State Concert at the State Lodge in Bungoma on August 14, with President William Ruto presiding over the ceremony.
Earlier in the festival, the third Kenya Music Festival International Conference took place on August 4 and 5 at Kibabii University.
Discussions focused on linking academic knowledge with artistic production and strengthening the role of creative arts in education.
Among the notable performers was the Teachers Service Commission Choir, which won six of the 14 categories it contested.
Performances linked to the Central Bank of Kenya’s 60th anniversary also featured, with some incorporating themes of financial literacy and financial inclusion.
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