Ruto: Creative talent to drive economy post Vision 2030

President William Ruto has outlined plans to turn Kenya’s vast pool of creative talent into sustainable careers and a source of jobs and income.

The President said the creative economy must occupy a central place in Kenya’s development beyond Vision 2030. He added that the government would strengthen copyright protection and expand digital platforms for creatives.

“Kenya does not lack talent. Our challenge is to discover and develop it,” he said during the State Concert of the 98th Kenya Music Festival at Bungoma State Lodge yesterday.

He added that the winners of the festival would receive Sh5 million and that the government, in partnership with the private sector, would establish a national talent search entity to identify talent and innovation in music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport and other fields throughout the year and across the country.

The programme, he said, would be rolled out by the State Department for Youth in collaboration with the Creative Economy Office and support from the Sports Fund. The inaugural theme of the talent search will be “Kenya Beyond 2030”, with the President directing that school creative events also adopt the theme from next year.