President William Ruto has today underscored the need to monetise the content from school music and drama festivals.
He challenged the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to digitise the scripts and monetise this year's scripts, a move that would make the activities that take place during the second term of the year sustainable.
Speaking at State House Nakuru during this year's Kenya Music Festivals State Concert, the President said he had given instructions on what to be done towards monetising talent and creativity from ECDEs, primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
The President who was accompanied by Education Cabinet Minister, Ezekiel Machogu, Sports, Culture and Heritage counterpart, Ababu Namwamba and Teachers'Service Commission Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Macharia among other dignitaries said Kenya might have sufficient money for the event to fund itself.
"To get the program of carrying forward and commercialise the talent, there should be a provision for promotion of teachers involved in performing arts," he said.
Ruto added that through the program, the ministries of Education and of Sports, Culture and Heritage should organise training for performing arts teachers within the country and abroad.
This year's Kenya Music Festivals were held at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri while the gala event was moved to Nakuru Girls High School in Nakuru on Wednesday.
Wednesday was the climax of the 95th as the winning teams in different categories performed for their patron, the President.
Ruto said teachers who get certificates for their exemplary performances during the annual event should be afforded scholarships.
He revealed that plans were underway to change the Presidential Music Commission into the Creative Commission of Kenya.
"Plans are underway to fashion the law through the Creative Bill which will be tabled before parliament within the next two months," he said.
He said when the Bill is eventually changed into law, each county would have a studio for talent development.
He laid out an elaborate scheme with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok to monetise Kenyan content.
"I have met the TikTok Global Chief Executive Officer and agreed to leverage and monetise local content while at the same time managing the negative material," he said.
Ruto said the quantum from these social platforms was between Sh300 million and Sh500 million per month.
The President further revealed that the highest-paid content creator in Kenya was getting a whooping Sh7 million per month
He finalised by saying that Music Festivals which were established in 1927 were a great way of celebrating the country's rich diversity.
He said his dream was to see more children with special needs taking part in the festivals.
