Ruto promises State support as schools music fete ends

By George ORIDO

Nairobi, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has pledged Government commitment to develop young talent in the arts, specifically music and drama.

 Ruto said there is need to create an enabling environment for the young population that is highly gifted to spur economic growth.

 Speaking during the finalists’ concert at the 87th edition of the Kenya Schools and Colleges Music Festival at Nakuru High School yesterday, he said the government will in the future create a specific budget for the Education and Culture ministries to help them fully fund the arts. “We cannot have ‘Afro-cinema coming shortly’ all the time so we must grow local content,” he said.

“While watching the first item, I asked the chairman if the item could be considered for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. But as others come up, I gave up because each was a s great as the other,” he said.

He conveyed goodwill message from President Uhuru Kenyata who is on official duty to Russia and China and told students and teachers that the President had the festival at his heart.

Unilever sponsored the festival for the first time this year to a tune of Sh15 million.