Nairobi: Drums thundered, dancers leapt and traditions came alive at Barng'etuny grounds in Songhor Soba Ward as the Tindiret Sub-County Cultural Festival brought together hundreds in a powerful celebration of identity, unity and heritage. But beyond the colourful performances, the event carried a serious message from local leaders: culture is not just about remembering the past; it is about shaping the future.
According to Kenya News Agency, Tindiret Member of Parliament (MP) Julius Melly used the occasion to call for stronger investment in cultural heritage as a tool for community empowerment and youth development. Addressing the crowd, the MP emphasized that traditions and stories passed down through generations must be seen as assets that can drive tourism, local enterprise, and national pride. 'When we showcase our songs, dances, traditional crafts, and stories, we are telling Kenya and the world who we are. We must give our young people confidence in their roots,' he said.
The legislator pledged to support local cultural groups through training programmes and better access to funding, adding that culture must be linked to infrastructure and education to truly thrive. 'It is not enough to preserve our dances if our roads prevent artists from reaching stages, or our children leave school because there is no bursary. Culture is a thread in the same fabric of progress,' he added.
Nandi County Executive for Culture and Sports, Scholastica Tuwei, echoed the MP's sentiments, outlining a clear roadmap for strengthening cultural development at the county level. She promised increased budgetary support for cultural initiatives, training opportunities for youth and plans to launch inter-county cultural exchange programmes. Tuwei also underscored the urgency of preserving traditional knowledge through proper documentation, warning that modern lifestyles risk eroding valuable cultural practices. 'Every time a child learns a traditional dance, or an elder recounts an old story, they plant a seed. Let us nurture these seeds through our policies, our budgets, and our passion,' she said.
The festival featured vibrant performances from cultural troupes across Tindiret, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd. For many, the event was more than a show; it was a much-needed revival of local pride and a call to action for sustained cultural investment.