- President Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to allocate Sh5 million each to nearly 30 institutions that performed at the Kenya Music Festival State Concert in Bungoma.
- The government has announced the Kenya National Talent Search and proposed higher education funding reforms to expand support for creative and academic talent.
President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to provide KSh5 million to every school and institution that performed at the 98th Kenya Music Festival State Concert, held at State Lodge in Bungoma, in a fresh boost to creative education and talent development.
Nearly 30 institutions, including universities, colleges and schools, took part in the event, meaning the total allocation could surpass Sh150 million.
“Close to 30 institutions are participating in this event. I am asking the Ministry of Education, as a show of gratitude and appreciation for your hard work and talent, to provide Ksh.5 million for every institution and every school that has participated here so that you can improve the infrastructure that will support these creatives going into the future,” Ruto said.
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The President said the allocation recognised the work, commitment and talent demonstrated by learners, teachers and institutions throughout the festival, and formed part of a wider plan by his administration to expand the creative economy and give young people more opportunities to develop their talents and earn a living from them.
He said the government had also recognised teachers involved in creative activities, noting that the Teachers Service Commission had promoted 1,000 teachers following an earlier commitment to appreciate their contribution, part of efforts to change the perception of music and other creative activities that had previously been treated mainly as extracurricular pursuits.
Ruto said the government’s approach to education was also changing to ensure students are not forced to abandon courses they qualify for because their parents cannot afford them. He said proposed higher education placement and funding reforms would link student placement with financial support, reducing cases where learners switch courses because of cost.
“The student must do the course to which they have chosen, and they have the qualifications to do it, irrespective of whether their parents have the money for that course or not,” he said, citing medicine and engineering alongside music, film and the arts as fields where students should be able to pursue their abilities based on their qualifications.
The President announced that the government, working with the private sector, would establish a Kenya National Talent Search to identify talent and innovation in music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport and other fields throughout the year and across the country. “The Government, working with the private sector, will therefore establish the Kenya National Talent Search to identify talent and innovation in music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport, and other fields throughout the year and in every part of Kenya,” he said.
Ruto directed the State Department for Youth to work alongside the Creative Economy Office and the Sports Fund to implement the programme, and assigned Deputy President Kithure Kindiki responsibility for overseeing government coordination and support for the initiative. He proposed “Kenya Beyond 2030” as the theme for the first edition of the National Talent Search, linking the programme to the country’s long-term development plans.
The President also called on young people to take part in the national conversation on Kenya’s development beyond 2030, urging them to contribute ideas on education, technology and opportunities, and to consider not only what the country would do for their generation but also what their generation would contribute to Kenya. He said Kenyan students would also undertake reciprocal engagements with institutions in Uganda.
Ruto announced changes to the proposed smart city project in Bungoma, directing the Ministry of Housing to increase its planned capacity from 14 floors to 24 floors to accommodate more residents.
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“Outside State Lodge here, we’re building a smart city, and I have instructed the Ministry of Housing that the smart city, originally designed for 14 floors, should be redesigned to be 24 floors to accommodate more people because we’re not only building a smart city but complete city development with proper shopping, learning and medical spaces,” he said, adding that the government intended to pursue similar developments across the country.
President Ruto also urged Parliament to fast-track debate on the Copyright Bill and the Creative Economy Bill, both currently before the House, saying the proposed laws would strengthen legal protection for artists, help creatives receive fair compensation and accelerate the formalisation of the creative economy. “I urge Parliament to fast-track their consideration to strengthen the protection of our creatives and accelerate the formalisation of the creative economy,” he said.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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