I will revive Ura Gate Tharaka Cultural Festivals if elected TNC governor-Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia
Traditional dancers perform in past Ura Gate Tharaka Annual Cultural Festival 1
By: Denis Mutua
Immediate former museums of Kenya boss and now aspiring Tharaka Nithi governor Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia has pledged to ensure annual Ura Gate Tharaka Cultural Festival is back if he will be elected the county boss in August polls.
Addressing residents of Kibung’a, Mzalendo said it is unfortunate to see the festivals that he initiated back in 2015 were stopped by politicians through power wrangles, denying residents from the county an avenue to show case, grow and embrace their rich culture.
Through the festivals that were being held every month of August, Mzalendo said the culture of the diverse communities in the county became exposed as evidenced by local traditional songs being aired today by local radio and TV stations.
“Before I started Ura Gate cultural festivals, our vernacular radio stations were playing songs from other communities outside our County. But since then, our own music including cultural dances are all over the local stations since the live performance recording by artists was made possible, which clearly shows the importance of having the festivals,’’ he said.
Mzalendo therefore asked various cultural groups that participate in the festivities to get ready for the comeback of the event that attracts visitors from far and wide coming to experience and witness the rich culture of Tharaka Nithi and especially Tharaka people.
The event that was being held annually was stopped from leaders’ wrangles where the County government of Tharaka Nithi has been accused of declining funding the festivals in the recent years making residents go without it.
Then the Covid-19 pandemic came in and it was used as a scape goat for not organising the event from ban on public gatherings that the ministry of health had imposed to stem the spread of the virus.
With some of the Covid measures by the ministry of health having been dropped, the people of Tharaka Nithi County are hopeful that come August they will have a chance to hold the cultural festival at Ura Gate grounds in Tharaka.
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