Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba at the national music festivals at Meru School on August 14, 2025.
The Ministry of Education is set to establish a creative arts talent academy to help identify and nurture artistic potential among learners across the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the ministry will collaborate with stakeholders and a team of experts to develop a comprehensive program for the academy.
The initiative, he said, aligns with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), promoting creativity, self-expression, and talent development.
Speaking at the Kenya National Music Festivals held at Meru School, Meru County, the CS underscored the importance of harnessing unexploited talents witnessed across different education levels from junior secondary to university.
He noted that music festivals are instrumental in promoting teamwork among students and equipping them with knowledge and skills relevant to real-life situations while promoting and preserving Kenyans’ cultural diversity.
"I am impressed by the talent showcased here, from the youngest learners in junior secondary school to university level. We must harness these talents that often go untapped. Such competitions build learners' confidence and help instill core values such as discipline, dedication, association and unity," said Ogamba.
The festival that concluded on Thursday saw the participation of over 140,000 learners and 9,000 trainers from across the country.
Ogamba added that the government through his ministry will source for funds to establish the academy and support similar talent-nurturing programs.
Leaders from Meru county who attended the music festivals said it positively impacted the local economy.
Meru Chief of Staff Julius Mbijiwe who spoke on behalf of governor Isaac Mutuma applauded the festival's organisers for flawlessly executing the event.
“The success of this festival is a result of the county government’s collaborative efforts with the national government,” he said.
Mbijiwe asked participants to ensure they explore unique tourist attractions in the county such as the Elephant Maternity at Nkunga Forest and Lake Igombe where elephants travel for kilometres to deliver young ones.
“We proudly refer to this as the eighth and night wonders of the world,” said Mbijiwe.
Equity Bank Meru Branch Manager Nancy Gitonga also emphasized the impact of the festivals on the economy saying it spurred unprecedented business growth within the county.
She said the hospitality sector especially thrived, with hotels reaching 120 percent booking capacity.
“Equity Bank is proud to support Kenya Music Festivals with an annual sponsorship of Sh25 million. We also provided financial literacy training during the event,” said Gitonga.
Kenya Music Festival Chairman Johnson Ngala praised both participants and winners, noting that the festival plays a crucial role in fostering nationalism and enhancing personal growth among learners.
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