Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has reaffirmed the government’s
commitment to monetising student creativity and taking Kenyan art global.
Speaking during the 97th edition of the Kenya
Music Festival (KMF) in Meru, Bitok urged stakeholders to broaden the
festival’s reach.
“As we approach the 100th year of this festival,
our legacy must be global artistic leadership,” said PS Bitok.
He said music remains a powerful storytelling
tool that transcends language and connects cultures across continents.
This year’s KMF theme, “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustained
Development” underscores music's social and economic role.
Bitok said the Ministry of Education aims to
transform the festival into a viable economic engine for Kenya’s creative
industry.
“The lifespan of our best talent must outlive
a few minutes on stage,” he noted.
He emphasised the need to immortalise student
performances in formats that generate revenue and future royalties.
The PS revealed plans to collaborate with the
Talent Fund and strategic partners to build structures for creative
monetization.
“Our aim is to make talent sustainable by
linking it to income, schools, and national development,” he said.
Bitok urged teachers and learners to embrace
music and arts as essential pillars of modern education, not mere
co-curriculars.
“We see talent incubation spaces. We see
future stars—local and global—emerging from these platforms,” he added.
KMF Chair Prof. Frederick Ngala echoed Bitok’s
call for global visibility and commercialisation of Kenya’s artistic talent.
He said the festival is no longer just about competition but about social learning and cultural exchange among participants.
“Our strength lies in the diversity of
African, occidental, oriental, and Arabic pieces presented,” Prof. Ngala said.
He lauded the festival’s alignment with
Kenya’s competency-based curriculum and its inclusivity of learners with
special needs.
Ngala praised teachers, adjudicators, and
parents for nurturing talent and enabling national participation across
education levels.
Bitok also recognised sponsors, calling them
critical to building Kenya’s creative ecosystem and supporting young talent.
“In a special way, we thank the Sports Fund,
Equity Bank, KICD, Communication Authority, Jubilee Insurance, and others,” he
said.
“Together, let us harness the transformative power of music and
art to shape our national identity, foster creativity, and drive socio-economic
development.”
He urged continued public-private partnerships to drive music and arts as
contributors to Kenya’s development goals.
Equity Bank, the festival’s main sponsor,
supported performances themed “Securing Lives Transformed and Wealth Created
through Insurance.”
Schools like Moi Forces Academy Nairobi, Holy
Cross Primary, Nzoia Sugar Primary, and Mii Primary will perform for President
Ruto.
Winners in Equity’s theme will earn Sh100,000,
Sh50,000, and Sh30,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively.
The 2025 festival features over 150,000
participants from ECD centres, schools, TVETs, teacher colleges, and
universities.
Events are happening across Meru School, Kaaga
Girls, and Meru Teachers College from August 4 to 12, 2025.
The winners’ galas are set for August 13 and
14, with a State Concert in Sagana on August 16.
