President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki during the 98th Kenya Music Festival State Concert at Bungoma State Lodge on August 14, 2026/PCSPresident William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to provide Sh5 million to every school and institution that performed at the Kenya Music Festival State Concert in Bungoma, in a fresh boost to creative education and talent development.
Speaking at the event on Friday, Ruto said the funds would enable the participating institutions to improve infrastructure supporting music and other creative activities.
“The Ministry of Education will provide Sh5 million for every institution and every school that has participated here, so that you can improve some of the infrastructure that will support these creatives going into the future,” Ruto said.
The President said the allocation recognised the work, commitment and talent demonstrated by learners, teachers and institutions throughout the festival.
He said the government's approach to education was also changing to ensure students are not forced to abandon courses they qualify for because their parents cannot afford them.
Ruto said proposed higher education placement and funding reforms would link student placement with financial support, reducing cases where learners switch courses because of the cost of their preferred programmes.
“The student must do the course to which they have chosen, and they have the qualifications to do it, irrespective of whether their parents have the money for that course or not,” he said.
He cited medicine and engineering, alongside music, film and the arts, as fields where students should be able to pursue their abilities based on their qualifications.
Ruto said the government wanted to give young people opportunities to develop their talents while expanding pathways to careers and employment.
The President also called on young people to take part in the national conversation on the country's development beyond 2030, urging them to contribute ideas on education, technology, opportunities and how Kenya can identify and reward talent.
He urged young people to consider not only what the country would do for their generation but also what their generation would contribute to Kenya.
Ruto said more than 30 institutions, including universities, colleges and schools, participated in the festival, with Kenyan students also set to undertake reciprocal engagements with institutions in Uganda.
He further said the government had recognised teachers involved in creative activities, noting that the Teachers Service Commission had promoted 1,000 teachers following an earlier commitment to appreciate their contribution.
Ruto said the recognition formed part of efforts to change the perception of music and other creative activities, which had previously been treated mainly as extracurricular pursuits.
