Govt to Monetise Music Festival Pieces, Showcase Students Art Globally - PS Bitok

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.