October 18, 2010 – Bungoma played the stage for artists who’ve been training for the past week at the Kenya Live Academy in Eldoret in a bit to become more commercial as musicians.

On Saturday, established and upcoming performers sang and danced in the rain to entertain hundreds of fans who had gathered at the Kanduyi Stadium.

Among those who thrilled were Juacali, Wahu, M.O.G, Eko Dyda, Redsan, Size 8 and Doggy G, alongside local favourites like the Webuye Jua Kali Band and the late Jacob Luseno’s Phonotex Band.

Kenya Live is an initiative by Safaricom to nurture talent among the youth by using established artistes in knowledge sharing academies.

The initiative is also look to enhance live performances by artists to overcome the current reliance on play-back tracks.

Under the arrangement, Safaricom is also expected to help the artistes market their productions online.

“This exercise is aimed at ensuring that local artistes not only gain fame from their performances but make a decent income out of it as well,” said Virginia Wanyanga, Safaricom’s representative at the academy.

The music promotion campaign will see similar concerts put up in major towns in the country such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru.

Last week, the Safaricom Head of Strategy and New Business Nzioka Waita said: “We want to turn music into a career out of which our people can earn a decent living, not just pride and fame.”

He goes on to say that the ‘possibilities are infinite’.