Gov't eyes creative economy billions with new push to commercialise student talent

Speaking at Kibabii University during the official opening of the 98th Kenya Music Festival, Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa stated that the State is aligning educational programmes with national economic priorities to ensure gifted learners monetise their skills.

Ololtuaa noted that the government’s focus is to turn co-curricular activities into viable economic pathways, mirroring the state’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which identifies the creative arts as a key pillar for job and wealth creation.

“The Ministry will continue to strengthen co-curricular programmes so that talent identification, development, and commercialisation of the talents is promoted. That is why those who sing, those who dance, those who run, are continued to be given priority by the country. We will continue to align our programmes with national priorities to ensure that no learner is left behind.”

To support this shift, Ololtuaa noted that the government, through President William Ruto, has already initiated a sweeping transformative agenda across the education sector, creating an environment where both academic and co-curricular talents can thrive.

He highlighted ongoing reforms in music, games, and sports, which are being bolstered by the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the Digital Literacy Programme, and the Kenya Education Management Information System.

“This transformation is also supported by reforms in the Teachers Service Commission, which has seen the employment of over 100,000 teachers. This ensures that our junior, senior, and primary schools receive the attention and teaching they deserve, alongside the provision of textbooks and modern infrastructure that are transforming the sector,” Ololtuaa said.

This year’s festival is anchored on the theme, ‘Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic production for Sustainable Development’.

The PS further called upon private sector players and state agencies to form strategic partnerships to ease the financial burden of hosting the massive national event. Acknowledging current sponsors, Ololtuaa noted that pooled resources could significantly elevate the festival's standards and impact.

“Kenya is a great country with many stakeholders who can partner to make the load a little bit lighter. We can each sponsor a small place. From next year, we will be involving other Principal Secretaries, county governments, and corporate CEOs from outside the education sector to revolutionise the Kenya Music Festival. If we come together, we can do even better than this."

Echoing the government's push to commercialise the creative arts and support the festival, the private sector has thrown its financial weight behind the initiative. Speaking on behalf of corporate partners including the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), KCB, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and other stakeholders, Equity Bank Regional General Manager for Nyanza and Western region, Peter Akuoyo, revealed that the lender had financed the festival for the last three years to help actualise this vision.

Akuoyo, who delivered remarks on behalf of Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi, noted that the Kenyan corporate views the creative industry as a critical driver of the future economy.

"We want to identify and support talent, particularly in this creative industry, because we believe that is where the future is. For us to build a resilient future, we must support these young talents at a tender age so that when they come of age, they will be able to change our society," Akuoyo said.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same event on behalf of Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany assured participants and visitors of their safety and the county’s readiness to host the massive national event.

She added that the devolved unit had partnered with multi-agency teams, including healthcare providers and the National Police Service, to ensure seamless operations and top-tier security for all attendees.