President William Ruto has affirmed his commitment to change the fortunes of the country's creative industry.
Speaking on Friday at State House, Nairobi, the President said going forward, creatives should know that his government takes them serious as a key cog of the economy.
Ruto said he did not attend the Drama Festival in Mombasa because he wanted them to come to State House in Nairobi to herald a new beginning.
"We can raise the bar on matters arts and the creatives, what has happened here today at State House has never happened before," the President said.
"I wanted us to begin there so that you begin to appreciate that the creatives are serious business and that we treat it as such as the government of Kenya."'
Ruto spoke when he hosted creatives and finalists of the drama and film festival for a State concert.
The President said as he promised, his government will give new inspiration to the space around sports, youths, creatives and the whole industry around art.
"I have no doubt about your performances, it is world class," he said.
"I have watched with satisfaction the latent talent and I'm convinced that there is a lot to achieve in performing arts."
The President said the creative industry is a crucial driver of the campaign against social vices including drug abuse.
"I think it is important to know what the society can be if we marshal all our resources that the young people can be," he said.
