Ruto directs rollout of Kenya National Talent Search

President William Ruto has announced the establishment of the Kenya National Talent Search, a program aimed at identifying and nurturing talent across various fields such as music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport, and other creative disciplines. Speaking at the 98th Kenya National Music Festival in Bungoma County, Ruto emphasized the urgency of rolling out the initiative without further delay to ensure talent is identified, nurtured, and supported throughout Kenya.

The State Department for Youth, in collaboration with the Creative Economy Office and with the support of the Sports Fund, is tasked with moving swiftly to implement the program. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been directed to ensure the program receives full government support and coordination. Ruto views the initiative as a step towards formalizing the creative economy and integrating it into the education system, thereby creating future employment and economic opportunities.

As part of the program, Ruto proposed 'Kenya Beyond 2030' as the inaugural theme for the National Talent Search, aligning it with the country's long-term development priorities. He suggested that starting next year, school creative events should adopt this theme to inspire young people to use their creativity to envision Kenya's future development. President Ruto expressed his intention to personally recognize the winners of the National Talent Search at the upcoming Kalasha International Film and TV Awards.

Furthermore, Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to allocate Ksh. 5 million to all winning institutions that participated in the 2026 Kenya Music Festivals State Concert. He also mandated that starting next year, school creative events must adopt the 'Kenya Beyond 2030' theme to encourage young people to leverage their talents to shape the nation's future.

Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to bring the winners of the annual Kenya Science and Engineering Fair to State House, aiming to meet them, witness their achievements, and listen to their ideas. He emphasized that the government believes in these young individuals and values their contributions.