St. Faith carries the day during diocese of Kajiado choir festival

By Soila Munyaka

A total of 17 choirs within the diocese of Kajiado took to the stage to perform during this year’s Anglican Church choir festival, held at the Emanuel Cathedral in Kajiado; on Saturday 22^nd .

                   

The adjudicators were from the ministry of education. The categories performed included set-piece, band, own-choice (published accredited), own-composition, sacred folk song and own-choice (men).

The set-piece is normally performed by all participating choirs. This year, it was a song; Nina inua macho yangu, composed by Nicholas Omondi. A four-part song, ternary, with Giriama rhythm; sang on key G major.

St. Patrick's ready to perform a folk song, Hamba ku Yesu

Speaking during the event, the bishop, Rt. Rev. Gadiel Lenini, applauded the efforts of everyone, especially the clergy, for supporting their respective choirs therefore making the day a success.

“Music is a good art of worship, and it’s very important in spreading the gospel. This is absolutely wonderful…” said the bishop.

With the festival being more of a fellowship, the best of all had to be crowned. A fierce competition was experienced between the three music giants of the diocese: St. Faith and St. Michaels, both from Ongata Rongai and Christ the King, from Kitengela. Following closely was Holy Trinity, Emanuel Cathedral and St. Patrick’s.

In the overall performance, the top three were: St. Faith, St. Michaels and Christ the King; in that order.

This year’s event was a notch higher with more choirs participating and competition being stiff, compared to previous years. In the coming year, the festival is set to be bigger and better, something to look forward to.

Parents on the spot!

By Soila Munyaka

Schools have closed for the August holiday and news especially about high school students have been in the media for the wrong reasons; leading to many asking how rotten our society has become and who is to blame for that.

Trending at the moment is a story about a group of secondary school students misbehaving in a matatu while traveling home from school. Still on the same, a video clip of a naked 14 year old girl being searched by police, has gone viral, bringing immense shame and regret to her family.

“A lot has changed and parents are failing in their responsibilities. Nowadays there is no collective upbringing of children like in our times where children could be corrected by any adult…” Mr. Timothy Muriuki, a teacher by profession.

In a school closing meeting with parents, a teacher gave an account of how a parent quarreled her in front of a class filled with pupils. Afterwards it became utterly impossible for the teacher to even guide or correct the child while others became rude.

Often when children hurt each other while playing, the issue mostly escalates as their parents clash after taking it personally. As parents tend to protect their children its necessary that they consider the bigger picture especially on how these children carry themselves while away.