Nairobi — The Coast provincial nursery, primary and secondary schools music festival kicked off Tuesday with Makande primary school being the first on stage at the Mombasa Polytechnic Hall.

Schools from the region are expected to showcase their music talents in the three-day competition with two new music categories: rap music and taarabu being introduced for the first time.

This year's festival has recorded the highest number of participants in all categories compared to previous years.

Coast province education quality assurance officer Jared Obiero Thursday said schools have also taken advantage of the region hosting the national event next month to participate in the competition.

Due to the high number of entrants, the organising committee has had to hire more halls. "We have been forced to use five music halls for both music and choral verses compared to last year's three," said Mr Obiero.

"Most of the schools have invested heavily in props and costumes especially in traditional dances and folk songs and we hope to perform better than previous years," said Mr Obiero. During this year's festivals, Likoni School for the Blind had numerous presentations which moved both the adjudicators and the audience.

These included a lower primary choral verse, Kipepeo. Before the end of the festival, they are also expected to perform a song written by renowned musician Ms Mary Atieno. The song is called Yesu Wangu Wanipenda.

Wema Center for destitute children and Likoni School for the Blind are also expected to represent Mombasa district in a special schools competition in the zilizopendwa category, which features golden oldies.

Various schools are also expected to perform in foreign languages, notably German and French.