Kalenjin Music Festival Awards To Honour Late Johana Ngeno In Bomet.
By Festus Ronoh | Bomet County.
The Kalenjin Music Festival Awards (KMFA) will dedicate a special hour to honour the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno during its fourth edition, scheduled for December 19, 2026, at Bomet Green Stadium.
The tribute will celebrate Ngeno’s contribution to the festival, which he helped establish in 2023, and his role in promoting Kalenjin music and culture.
KMFA official Rose Kositany said preparations for the ceremony is underway, with organisers also planning a fundraising drive to establish a savings and credit cooperative society (SACCO) to empower artists financially.
Kositany spoke after leading a delegation from the KMFA secretariat in a meeting with Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok to brief him on the preparations and seek the county government’s support.
She was accompanied by secretariat members Duncan Kipngeno and Abby Chebet.
Ngeno, the festival’s founding patron, died on February 28, 2026, in a helicopter crash at Chepkiep village in Nandi County.
His death marked a significant loss for the festival, which has grown into a platform for recognising musical talent and promoting Kalenjin culture.
Kositany said the planned tribute would give musicians and other stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on Ngeno’s contribution to the industry and his role in establishing the awards.
Following his death, the festival has continued under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
Governor Barchok pledged the county government’s support, saying preparations would involve security agencies, traders, residents and other stakeholders to ensure a successful event.
“We are was ready to welcome visitors from across the Great Rift Valley, the Mt Elgon region and eastern Uganda for the one-day celebration”Barchok said.
He also urged local traders to prepare for the expected influx of visitors and work with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to maximise business opportunities.
The organisers announced that nominations for the various award categories would open on November 10.
Since its establishment in 2023, KMFA has awarded more than Sh80 million in prize money to outstanding performers.
This year’s edition will combine the recognition of musical excellence with a tribute to Ngeno’s legacy and efforts to strengthen the financial welfare of artists through the proposed SACCO.
