Daystar University hosts Colombian Ambassador (extreme right) and Batuta Foundation for musical exchange at the Main Campus Athi River

By Deborah Shilako

The office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Daystar University, in collaboration with the School of Communication and the Department of Language and Performing Arts, on July 16th, graciously hosted the Colombian Ambassador to Kenya along with representatives from the esteemed Batuta Foundation. This visit marked the beginning of a promising and mutually advantageous relationship between the University and the nation of Colombia through its embassy.

This engagement was sparked by the Daystar School Choir’s recent performance at the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, where the choir was invited to partake in a celebration of Filipino culture. Present at the event was Colombia's Ambassador to Kenya Prof. Pedro Cortes Ruiz, who, captivated by the choir's exceptional talent, was inspired to initiate a partnership between the Batuta Foundation and Daystar University via the Colombian Embassy.

Based in Colombia, the Batuta Foundation is a public-private non-profit initiative dedicated to providing music education to underprivileged youth, particularly those coming from communities beset by conflict, displacement, and poverty. The foundation employs music as a tool for social action and empowerment. Several students from the foundation participated in this enriching musical and cultural exchange.

As part of the visit, the guests toured Daystar University’s Athi River campus, where they were introduced to the institution’s history and milestones, and had the privilege of meeting with Prof. Samuel Mureithi, DVC Academic Affairs. Prof. Mureithi extended a formal welcome to the guests and articulated the university's strong desire to cultivate a lasting relationship with Colombia that transcends music and encompasses other mutually beneficial domains.

This was subsequently followed by a time of vibrant musical exchange between the Daystar University Choir and students from the Batuta Foundation. The students from the Batuta Foundation performed a selection of Spanish songs rooted in Colombian heritage, interwoven with African influences. Notably, they showcased the groulo dance, an intricate and delicate art form that harmonizes song and dance. The Daystar University choir also rendered several pieces, with 'Malaika' being particularly noteworthy. A collaborative dance performance followed, uniting the two groups in a celebration of cultural synergy.

In his address to the students following the musical presentations, Ambassador Cortez Ruiz expressed profound gratitude to Daystar University for their warm hospitality. He elaborated that the musical exchange was part of a broader initiative by the Colombian government to reconnect with Africa. He highlighted that Colombia possesses a significant population of African descent and underscored the importance of reclaiming equality and inclusion for this community. He asserted that part of this endeavor would be realized through rekindling ties with Africa. The ambassador also conveyed his hope that renewed connections with Africa would facilitate the addressing of mutual challenges and foster meaningful partnerships.

The event ended on a high note, with shared optimism and a clear commitment to future collaboration between Daystar University and the Colombian Embassy.