A vibrant display of Kenya’s rich cultural heritage, creativity and unity marked the climax of the 2026 Cultural Week at Kabete National Polytechnic, as students from diverse communities showcased their traditions through music, dance, fashion, cuisine and talent in a week-long celebration aimed at promoting national cohesion.
The colourful event, held under the theme “Integrating Cultural Diversity in Skills and Talents for Unity,” transformed the institution into a cultural village, with students embracing different dress codes throughout the week while participating in activities designed to celebrate Kenya’s multicultural identity.
The celebrations began with Street/Casual Wear on Monday, followed by Vintage Wear on Tuesday, Sports Wear on Wednesday, Kitenge Wear on Thursday and culminated in a spectacular Cultural Wear Day on Friday, where students proudly represented their respective communities in traditional attire.
Throughout the week, learners also prepared and shared traditional delicacies from different Kenyan communities, giving students an opportunity to appreciate the country’s diverse culinary heritage while learning from one another.
The climax of the celebrations featured captivating cultural performances, with various communities entertaining guests through traditional dances, songs and fashion showcases that highlighted the beauty and uniqueness of Kenya’s cultural diversity. Every community was given an opportunity to showcase its traditions, customs and artistic expressions before an enthusiastic audience comprising students, staff and invited guests.
The week also featured interdepartmental skills competitions that demonstrated the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation and teamwork alongside cultural appreciation.
The Agriculture Department emerged overall winners in the interdepartmental skills competition, followed by the Cosmetology Department in second place, while the Computing and Informatics Department finished third.
In the cultural cuisine competition, the Maasai Community claimed the top position after impressing judges with their traditional dishes. The Gusii Community finished second, while the Meru Community secured third place.
Speaking during the culmination ceremony, Benjamin Njenga, Chairman of the Governing Council at Kabete National Polytechnic, emphasized the importance of embracing one’s cultural identity.
“We have been organizing these celebrations to ensure that we appreciate our culture. If you do not appreciate yourself, you cannot truly recognize or accept yourself. Every nation has its own culture, and here at Kabete, we have students from virtually every Kenyan community. This is an opportunity to appreciate our roots, our country and one another,” he said.
Njenga praised the week’s activities, particularly the traditional cooking exhibitions that allowed students to experience different cultural practices firsthand. He encouraged learners to focus on celebrating diversity through action rather than speeches, officially declaring the 2026 Cultural Week celebrations open.
The ceremony’s chief guest, renowned cultural scholar, teacher and artist Bwire Ojiambo, challenged students to cultivate not only technical skills but also strong professional values and character.
Drawing from management thinker Peter Drucker’s famous observation that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” Ojiambo noted that success in any profession depends not only on technical competence but also on attitude, values and work ethics.
“Technical skills may get you hired, but professional culture determines how far you will go in your career,” he told the students.
He warned against poor work ethics, dishonesty, shortcuts, indiscipline and resistance to change, describing them as habits that undermine professional excellence and contribute to societal challenges such as poor workmanship.
“Your certificate proves what you know, but your culture proves who you are. Build the right culture within yourself, and you will succeed wherever your skills take you. Skills may open doors, but character keeps those doors open,” he said.
Ojiambo further commended the government’s continued emphasis on integrating culture into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), noting that cultural values nurture discipline, integrity and professionalism among trainees.
Kabete National Polytechnic Principal Patrick Muchemi said the institution organized the Cultural Week to foster unity among students drawn from different regions of the country.
“Our students come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through this activity they learn to appreciate one another, appreciate Kenya and respect each other’s way of life. When students work together to prepare cultural performances, they develop teamwork, friendship and unity regardless of their ethnic backgrounds,” he said.
Muchemi noted that preparations for the performances required extensive collaboration, with students teaching one another traditional dances, songs and customs, thereby strengthening social cohesion within the institution.
He also showcased attire specially designed by the institution’s Clothing and Textile Department, saying the garments and beadwork demonstrated the practical skills being nurtured among TVET learners.
The celebrations also attracted participation from other technical institutions, including Mathenge Technical Training Institute, whose students presented fashion designs inspired by various cultures. Representatives from the institution said TVET training continues to equip learners with practical skills in fashion design, garment construction and beadwork, enabling them to preserve and promote cultural heritage through creative industries.
The successful Cultural Week underscored Kabete National Polytechnic’s commitment to holistic education by combining technical training with cultural appreciation, talent development and national unity, reinforcing the role of TVET institutions in producing graduates equipped with both professional skills and strong ethical values for the modern workforce.
