MERU, Kenya — Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has announced bold plans to commercialize student talent and turn Kenya’s music and arts festivals into engines of economic growth and global cultural influence.
Speaking at the 97th edition of the Kenya Music Festival (KMF) in Meru, Bitok reaffirmed the government’s commitment to monetising student creativity and positioning Kenyan art on the world stage.
“As we approach the centenary of this festival, our legacy must be global artistic leadership,” said PS Bitok. “The lifespan of our best talent must outlive a few minutes on stage.”
He described music as a powerful storytelling tool that bridges cultures and said the Ministry of Education aims to transform the KMF into a commercially viable platform for the country’s vibrant creative economy.
This year’s festival is themed “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustained Development,” highlighting the dual social and economic roles of the arts.
Bitok revealed plans to partner with the Talent Fund and strategic stakeholders to support the long-term sustainability of youth talent, including through income generation, royalties, and education-industry linkages.
“We see talent incubation spaces. We see future stars—local and global—emerging from these platforms,” he said, urging educators and learners to treat music and arts as integral to modern education rather than optional co-curriculars.
Kenya Music Festival Chair Prof. Frederick Ngala echoed Bitok’s call, stating that the festival was evolving beyond a competition into a hub for cultural exchange and social learning.
“Our strength lies in the diversity of African, occidental, oriental, and Arabic pieces presented,” said Ngala. “This festival is now aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum and includes learners with special needs.”
He praised teachers, adjudicators, and parents for nurturing talent across the country, enabling participation from all education levels—from early childhood to university.
Bitok also thanked sponsors for their continued support, singling out the Sports Fund, Equity Bank, KICD, the Communication Authority, and Jubilee Insurance for playing a key role in building Kenya’s creative infrastructure.
“Together, let us harness the transformative power of music and art to shape our national identity, foster creativity, and drive socio-economic development,” he said.
Equity Bank, the festival’s main sponsor, is supporting performances themed “Securing Lives Transformed and Wealth Created through Insurance.” Top winners in this category will receive cash awards of Sh100,000, Sh50,000, and Sh30,000.
Schools including Moi Forces Academy Nairobi, Holy Cross Primary, Nzoia Sugar Primary, and Mii Primary are scheduled to perform for President William Ruto.
The 2025 festival has drawn more than 150,000 participants from ECD centres, schools, teacher training colleges, TVETs, and universities. Activities are being held at Meru School, Kaaga Girls, and Meru Teachers College between August 4 and 12.
The festival will culminate in winners’ galas on August 13 and 14, followed by a State Concert in Sagana on August 16.
