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Education PS Julius Bitok has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to monetizing students’ creative talents and showcasing their art on the global stage. Speaking at the 97th edition of the Kenya Music Festival (KMF) in Meru, PS Bitok emphasized the importance of elevating the festival’s reach beyond national borders, envisioning a future where Kenyan performers dominate international platforms with their unique blend of creativity and cultural heritage.

“As we approach the 100th year of this festival, I want one of our legacies to be that Kenya is performing and leading globally in master music,” he remarked. “Music is a powerful tool for storytelling and conveying messages that transcend language and cultural barriers.”

This year’s KMF theme, “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustained Development,” highlights the critical role of music and arts in shaping Kenya’s national identity, fostering innovation, and driving socio-economic growth. PS Bitok reiterated the Ministry of Education’s vision to transform the festival into a sustainable economic engine by monetizing the artistic talents displayed during the event.

“The lifespan of the cream of our talent should outlive the few minutes of stage glory,” he stated. “It should be immortalized in commercially tradeable formats that generate real cash and future royalties.” He revealed plans to engage the Talent Fund and other strategic partners to develop frameworks that will enable young artists to earn from their creativity.

By nurturing and commercializing talent, the festival can create income-generating opportunities for students, teachers, and schools while contributing to Kenya’s broader socio-economic development. PS Bitok encouraged students and teachers to view music and arts education as more than just extracurricular activities.

“We appreciate an important platform for discovering and modeling talents. We see incubation sessions for future local and global stars. We see potential income-generating opportunities and job creation avenues that will be crucial contributors to the socio-economic development we aspire for. Music education, arts, and culture are not mere co-curricular activities but vital components of a well-rounded education that fosters creativity, innovation, and national identity,” he emphasized.

Earlier, KMF Chair Prof. Frederick Ngala echoed Bitok’s vision of global recognition, emphasizing the festival’s evolution into a globally significant event. He highlighted the celebration of diverse African, occidental, oriental, and Arabic cultures as a distinctive strength capable of elevating the festival to the international stage.

“This festival is not just about competition; it is about social learning where students, teachers, and adjudicators learn from one another. Our learners are already winners for making it to the national level,” said Prof. Ngala. He also noted the festival’s role as a practical platform for applying classroom knowledge under the competency-based curriculum while fostering inclusivity by integrating learners with special needs into the competition.

Recognizing the collaborative efforts that make such inclusivity possible, the PS also acknowledged the indispensable role of sponsors in growing the creative industry, calling their support “a testament to the power of partnership and collaboration in achieving excellence.”

“In a special way, I also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the magnanimity of our sponsors, including the Sports Fund, Equity Bank, KICD, Communication Authority, Jubilee Insurance, Kenya Cultural Centre, Brookside East Africa, Kenya Wildlife Service, among others, who have generously made this festival a reality. Together, let us harness the transformative power of music and art to shape our national identity, foster creativity, and drive socio-economic development,” he stated.

Equity Bank, the festival’s main sponsor, supported students performing under the bank’s KMF theme, “Securing Lives Transformed and Wealth Created through Life, Health, and Wealth Insurance.” Schools such as Moi Forces Academy Nairobi, Nzoia Sugar Primary, Holy Cross Primary from Western Kenya, and Mii Primary School will showcase their pieces before President William Ruto at the State Lodge in Sagana.

Winners under the Equity-sponsored insurance theme will receive Ksh100,000, Ksh50,000, and Ksh30,000 for first, second, and third positions, respectively, alongside trophies and certificates.

The festival, featuring over 150,000 participants from preschools, primary schools, junior secondary schools, secondary schools, teacher training colleges, TVET institutions, and universities, is still underway. Events are taking place across Meru School, Meru Teachers College, and Kaaga Girls High School from August 4 to August 12, 2025. Winners’ galas are scheduled for August 13 and 14, culminating in a State Concert at Sagana State Lodge on August 16, 2025.

The 97th Kenya National Music Festivals officially kicked off in Meru County, with students showcasing their creativity and cultural heritage. Speaking at the opening ceremony held at Meru School, Governor Isaac Mutuma warmly welcomed participants, emphasizing the festival’s significance in promoting local culture, youth empowerment, and national development.

“It is both an honour and a great privilege for Meru County to host the 2025 edition of the Kenya National Music Festivals, a celebration of rich culture, creativity, and youthful brilliance,” Governor Mutuma declared. “Today, Meru comes alive with the sounds of our national soul, the beat of tradition, the vibrancy of youth, and the spirit of unity. For our young performers, your stage is here. Your time is now. Shine with confidence, sing your truth, dance your heritage, speak your soul.”

Beyond artistic expression, Governor Mutuma highlighted the festival’s critical role in driving economic growth and strengthening national identity. “This festival enhances the creative economy through artistic expression for sustainable development. It speaks to the future of our country. Through music, we nurture unity and shared citizenship,” he noted. “Our oral traditions, folk dances, and ancestral melodies are not museum relics. They are the living heartbeats of who we are. This stage has launched numerous stars. What begins as a school performance often becomes a lifelong career, and that journey begins here.”

Governor Mutuma also emphasised the festival’s broader economic impact, noting the vast ecosystem it supports beyond the stage. He detailed Meru County’s commitment to fostering the creative economy through investments in talent studios, enabling youth to produce, record, and earn a living from their creativity. “These performances are not only entertainment but also education. They provoke thoughts, offer solutions, and awaken a collective responsibility,” he said, pointing to their potential to address issues such as peacebuilding, mental health, climate change, and gender equality.

Elyas Abdi Jillaow, Director General of the Ministry of Education, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the Kenya Music Festival theme, ‘Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development.’ as a call to cultivate young talent as future content producers and innovators.

“Artistic expression through music, elocution, dance, and drama is not merely for entertainment but a powerful vehicle for innovation, job creation, community building, and national identities,” Jillaow stated.

He further linked the festival to Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which promotes diverse skills and contributes to national unity. “The creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. In Kenya, it is time we position our learners to be producers of content, not just consumers; to be job creators, not just job seekers,” he asserted. “Through this festival, we are nurturing the next generation of composers, poets, playwrights, producers, entertainers, and cultural ambassadors. These learners are not just performing; they are building Kenya’s future.”

Equity Group partnered with the 2025 Kenya Music Festivals, providing a significant sponsorship of Ksh 25 million highlighting its commitment to promoting cultural diversity, talent, and creativity. Peter Muturi, Head of Commercial Marketing at Equity Bank, emphasized the bank’s dedication to empowering communities through comprehensive insurance solutions.

“This year’s KMF theme aligns perfectly with Equity’s own theme: ‘Securing Lives Transformed and Wealth Created through Life, Health, and Wealth Insurance,’ reflecting our dedication to securing lives, transforming futures, and fostering sustainable wealth,” Muturi explained. “We firmly believe that investing in creative talent leads to thriving communities and national prosperity. Young artists are future visionaries and change-makers, and Equity Group is proud to champion their growth as part of Kenya’s 80 billion gig economy.”

The festival will feature participants from preschools, primary schools, junior secondary schools, secondary schools, teacher training colleges, TVET institutions, and universities. Events are taking place across Meru School, Meru Teachers College, and Kaaga Girls High School from August 4 to August 12, 2025. Winners’ galas are scheduled for August 13 and 14, culminating in a State Concert at Sagana State Lodge on August 16, 2025.