- MoE has intensified efforts to transform school talent into sustainable careers by strengthening identification, development, and commercialisation through co‑curricular programmes.
- PS Ololtuaa has emphasised the role of the Kenya Music Festival in nurturing creativity, cultural preservation, and workplace competencies, while calling for greater private sector and county government support.
The Government has intensified efforts to transform talent nurtured in schools into sustainable economic opportunities by strengthening talent identification, development and commercialisation through co-curricular programmes.
Speaking during the official opening of the 98th Kenya Music Festival at Kibabii University in Bungoma County on Monday, Basic Education Principal Secretary, John Ololtuaa, said the Ministry of Education would continue investing in music, dance, sports and other creative activities to enable learners to build careers from their abilities.
“The Ministry will continue to strengthen co-curricular programmes so that talent identification, development and commercialisation is promoted,” Ololtuaa said.
The Principal Secretary described the Kenya Music Festival as one of the country’s most successful educational programmes, noting that it has evolved beyond a competition into a national platform for nurturing talent, preserving culture and promoting unity among learners from diverse backgrounds.
He said the festival provides young people with opportunities to discover their abilities, build confidence and appreciate Kenya’s cultural diversity while complementing classroom learning through Competency-Based Education.
Ololtuaa noted that the festival equips learners with critical competencies such as creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy, citizenship and self-efficacy, skills that are increasingly required in the modern workplace.
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Calls for partnership with private sector
He called for greater involvement of the private sector, county governments and State agencies in supporting the festivals in developing talents among young Kenyans.
“Kenya is a great country, and it has many stakeholders who can participate. It is possible to partner and make the road a little bit lighter,” he said.
The Principal Secretary announced plans to involve more Principal Secretaries, chief executive officers, county governments and corporate organisations in next year’s festival to strengthen sponsorship and reduce the financial burden of organising the national event.
He also urged education officials to uphold fairness, accountability and professionalism while calling on learners to remain disciplined and adhere to festival regulations throughout the competition.
Ololtuaa commended teachers, trainers, adjudicators, curriculum support officers, parents, county governments, security agencies and the media for their contribution to the continued success of the annual event.
Speaking on behalf of Equity Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. James Mwangi, the bank’s Regional General Manager for Nyanza and Western regions, Peter Akuoyo, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting young creatives through continued investment.
“We want to identify and support talent, particularly in the creative industry, because we believe that is where the future is,” Akuoyo said.
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Akuoyo revealed that Equity Bank has invested Sh150 million in the festival over the past three years, including Sh25 million for this year’s edition, saying sustained support would help nurture a generation capable of using creativity and innovation to solve social and economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Bungoma Deputy Governor, Janepher Mbatiany, assured participants that elaborate security and healthcare measures had been put in place through multi-agency teams to guarantee the safety of more than 140,000 learners and teachers attending the two-week festival.
By Bernard Magada
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