Participants during the start of the Second Edition of Maara Cultural Festival held at Mugona in Muthambi ward. Photo Mwenda Njeru
By Mwenda Njeru
Worth Noting:
- Speaking during the launch, Muthambi Ward Member of County Assembly, Mr Nebert Kinuthia said though government and health stakeholders banned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), it is wise to continue giving young girls the positive cultural counsel that helped them grow to responsible women.
- He said most of Kenyan communities were made by colonialists to believe that their culture and traditions were evil while the truth is that most of it was positive.
- “We are here for the second edition of Maara Cultural Festival which has greatly revived our positive culture and we will continue to support the event as leaders,” said Mr Kinuthia.
The second edition of Maara annual Cultural Festival kicked off yesterday at Mugona YMCA grounds in Muthambi ward in Tharaka Nithi County.
The event that started last year and organised by Muthambi Cultural Community Based Organisation led by chairperson and Geetu FM Radio Maara reporter, Kimathi Ntomiru targets to rekindle and promote positive culture while condemning the negative ones.
Tharaka-Nithi County Government Director of Culture and Tourism, Mr Geoffrey Chabari said this year each of the 15 wards will take two cultural groups at the Uragate Cultural Festival.
He said culture has seriously grown in the county and the devolved government will not relent.
He said last year some politicians intefered with the Uragate Cultural Festival event and that such behaviour will not be tolerated this year.
“Let us appreciate the effort to revive our positive culture and respect any entity participating,” said Mr Chabari.
He also asked the county residents to remain united and support elected leaders in order to deliver the promises that they made.
Speaking during the launch, Muthambi Ward Member of County Assembly, Mr Nebert Kinuthia said though government and health stakeholders banned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), it is wise to continue giving young girls the positive cultural counsel that helped them grow to responsible women.
He said most of Kenyan communities were made by colonialists to believe that their culture and traditions were evil while the truth is that most of it was positive.
“We are here for the second edition of Maara Cultural Festival which has greatly revived our positive culture and we will continue to support the event as leaders,” said Mr Kinuthia.
The law maker lauded Tharaka-Nithi County Government led by Governor Muthomi Njuki for organising annual Ura Gate Cultural Festival held at the entrance of Meru National Park in Tharaka constituency in August.
He said the county cultural event has ignited culture across the devolved unit and this year’s festival is set to be great.
Kinuthia who is eyeing Maara Member of Parliament seat currently held by Kareke Mbiuki who has announces bid for governorship faulted majority of MPs for voting in favour of the controversial 2024/2025 Finance Bill.
He claimed that the document will economically hurt Kenyans who are already experiencing hard economic times.
“If I was in the Parliament I would vote against the bill because it will cause more suffering to Kenyans,” he said.
Nominated MCA Purity Wanja, popularly known as Kaaba Wanja and who has expressed interest for Tharaka-Nithi County Women Representative position challenged fathers to be having enough time with their sons.
She said girls have been highly empowered and there cannot be a balanced community with neglected boys.
She said traditionally fathers and grandfathers took time to educate boys on their culture including matters clan family line.
“As a mother I can advise my sons but there are issues which naturally I cannot tell them but their father, grandfather or clansmen can,” said Ms Wanja who was accompanied by her nominated counterpart Lucy Muthoni.
Maara MCA Mawira and the Tharaka-Nithi County Assembly Culture and Tourism Committee Chairperson said that the devolved government will fully support culture and tourism docket.
He also faulted National Assembly for passing the 2024/2025 Finance Bill against the wish of majority of Kenyans who are seriously pressed by the current hard economic situation.
Some of the cultural groups that participated included; Gaketha Dancers, Mitheru Tourism and Culture, Ndumbini Dancers, Kajiambaki Dancers, Ntuibu Joy Dancers, Kirathimo Dancers, TNC Ambassadors Dancers, Gaiciumia Dancers.
The other group is SALT from Tharaka Constituency led by Simon Ndonco which a Community Based Organisation which advocates and promotes culture and a stakeholder in Ura Gate Cultural Festival.
Mr Ndonco said colonialists did not bring a different God from the one which Africans worshipped and whom those from Mt Kenya region believe lives in Mt Kenya, locally known as Kirinyaga and whom they refer as Mwenenyaga.
Ms Anita Mbae who has also expressed interest for the Women Representative position lauded the revival of culture in the county.
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