PRESS BREIFING BY HON. KIRAITU MURUNGI, GOVERNOR OF MERU COUNTY FOR THE 92^nd EDITION OF THE KENYA MUSIC & CULTURAL FESTIVAL (KM&CF) TO BE HELD AT THE MERU TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE ON 23^RD TO 29^TH, NOVEMBER, 2018.

The directorate of Culture main mandate is but not limited to:

1) Mobilizing funds for the cultural development programmes, establishing and developing physical ad institutional cultural infrastructure for cultural expressions of tangible and intangible cultural heritage

2) Promoting indigenous languages and other languages in conjunction with stakeholde

3) Safeguarding cultural heritage through research, documentation and dissemination promoting local, regional and global integration and appreciation of cultural diversity; coordinating, managing, regulating and monitoring cultural exchange programs;

4) Implementing county regional, continental and international cultural agenda

5) empowering cultural practitioners for social economic development; promoting values and practices in harmony with national goals and aspirations

6) partnering with stakeholders in promotion and development of cultural programmes; registering cultural practitioners for recognition, monitoring, and planning purposes

In this regard my government is committed to promoting positive cultural practices in order to protect our cultural heritage. My government plans to host a Meru county cultural festival which will give an opportunity to the Meru people and the entire country to showcase the rich cultural heritage.

Further my government plans to a cultural Centre at Nchiru which will showcase the Meru culture and heritage. This will include: A recording Studio, an exhibition hall, an art gallery and a performance hall among others

In the financial year 2018-2019 my teams participated and won many awards and trophies for various categories namely KICOSA (Kenya Inter County Cultural and Sports Association) UNESCO: The UNESCO Performances gave Meru County an opportunity to represent the country in France last week.

On behalf of the people of Meru County, I wish to welcome participating Counties and Exhibitors to the 92^nd Edition of the Kenya Music & Cultural festival being held in Meru County. We are honored that the Ministry of Sports Culture and Heritage selected Meru to host this national event that seeks to showcase our diverse music and cultural background.

Meru is a land of prosperity and great opportunity and investors are welcome.

On this note, I would also like to register my appreciation to the Kenya Music &Cultural Festival national and local organizing committee for making this festival a reality.

As I close, I call upon the People of Meru County, to take this opportunity to showcase our rich heritage, culture and hospitality to our visiting guests.

Thank you and Welcome to Meru County.

God bless you all.