West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has challenged the Ministry of Education to explain why Mobamba DoK Primary School was left out of the State House Gala despite emerging national champions in their music category.
Mobamba DoK Primary had clinched the top position nationally in the Class 1012H category at the Kenya National Music Festivals and was scheduled to perform at the State House Gala before being replaced.
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Mogaka, who celebrated the pupils at the school, condemned their omission, saying the decision denied the young performers an opportunity to be recognised for an achievement they had earned on merit.
“I am here to celebrate these champions who qualified on merit to perform at the State House Gala but were short-changed, with reasons known to those who rigged them out,” Mogaka said.
The MP said the incident could undermine the pupils’ morale and discourage them from pursuing their talents, despite their hard work and success at the national level.
To honour the pupils, Mogaka awarded each of them KSh1,000 and promised additional support for the school’s music programme.
“I condemn those corrupt individuals who did not want to give these pupils their merit and rigged them out, denying them an opportunity to be celebrated by the presidency,” he said.
Mogaka also alleged that the school’s exclusion may have been politically motivated and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the decision.
He appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and invite the pupils, together with their teachers and parents, to State House for recognition.
“I plead with you, President Ruto, to shame them by giving these pupils an opportunity to visit State House, celebrate them and motivate them,” Mogaka said.
The MP further called on Education Cabinet Secretary Migosi Ogamba to investigate the matter and ensure that the pupils receive justice.
Mogaka said he had previously raised the issue in Parliament in an attempt to have Mobamba DoK Primary included in the State House function, but the effort did not succeed.
He vowed to continue pursuing the matter until the pupils are recognised for their achievement.
“Even if they were not celebrated at the national level after becoming national champions, we are celebrating them here at home with our heads held high,” he said.
Mogaka also announced plans to purchase music costumes and instruments for the school to help nurture the pupils’ talents.
“Because of the talents that they have displayed here, I am going to buy music costumes and instruments to cultivate their talent,” he said.
The MP had earlier praised the school after its national victory, describing the achievement as a testament to the pupils’ talent, discipline and hard work, as well as the commitment of their teachers and adjudicators.
“As a Member of Parliament committed to nurturing talent and holistic development within our constituency, I have been honoured to walk this journey with the school, offering financial support towards their music programme because I believe every child’s God-given talent deserves a platform to shine,” he said.
Mogaka said the school’s success demonstrated the importance of investing in talent alongside academic development.
“This is proof that when we invest in our children’s talents alongside their academics, we build a generation that excels on every stage, including the national one,” he said.
He pledged to seek the President’s intervention to ensure the pupils get an opportunity to celebrate their national achievement at State House.
“Together, we continue to build a future where every child’s potential is nurtured and celebrated,” Mogaka said.
