Ruto reinstates 'Mamuluki' in school drama and music roles

Nkumu Junior Secondary School presents a French Choral Verse during the 64th Music and Drama Festival at Kagumo Teachers Training College in Nyeri on April 8, 2026. [Kibata Kihu, Standard A policy shift announced at the climax of this year's Kenya National Drama and Film Festival has handed long-awaited relief to non-Teachers Service Commission (TSC) registered trainers, popularly known as "Mamuluki", allowing them back into schools under a structured and regulated framework. The move signals a return to relevance for the trainers and opens the door to formalising their role in shaping Kenya's creative future. The directive, issued by President William Ruto, marks a major reversal of a ban imposed six months ago by the Ministry of Education, which had barred unregistered individuals from handling learners in co-curricular activities such as drama, music and film. The earlier ban followed controversy involving former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who was accused of using student performances for political messaging in "Echoes of War". The incident raised concerns within government over student safety, ethical boundaries and the risk of politicising school platforms. Speaking during the State Concert, which marked the grand finale of the festival, President Ruto acknowledged the delicate balance between safeguarding learners and nurturing talent. "There is a thin line between ensuring the safety of our learners and allowing creativity to thrive," he said."But we must not exclude those who have played a critical role in building this sector. The Mamuluki must be allowed to cultivate talent in a structured and accountable way." For more than a decade, Mamuluki, many of them former festival participants turned creatives, have been instrumental in scripting, directing and producing award-winning performances in schools across the country. Their exclusion earlier this year disrupted preparation cycles, forcing many schools to struggle to maintain performance standards. The President directed key institutions, including the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the Kenya Cultural Centre and festival organisers, to develop clear guidelines for vetting and engaging the trainers. "We must build a system that is safe and enabling, one that recognises talent, nurtures it and gives it legitimate space to operate," He also stressed the need to ensure that student creativity showcased at the festival does not go to waste, describing it as a rich expression of imagination and culture. "For the past 12 days, we have witnessed an inspiring celebration of culture that reflects the soul and spirit of our nation," he said. "Storytelling has always been the heartbeat of our cultural vibrancy, from the oral traditions of our ancestors to the performances we see today." This year's festival brought together more than four million learners at the grassroots level, with about 20,000 advancing to the national stage. Through plays, spoken word, film, dance and music, students explored themes including governance, social justice, identity, mental health and technological change. Ruto said the performances underscored storytelling as a powerful tool for shaping national consciousness and preserving heritage. "Stories have carried our values across generations. Today, a new generation is embracing both creativity and technology to protect and project our cultural vitality to the world," he said. Beyond culture, the President noted the growing economic potential of the creative industry, describing it as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. The President directed that the festival be fully integrated into the national education budget, elevating creative arts within the Competency-Based Education system.

Ruto reinstates 'Mamuluki' in school drama and music roles

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Ruto reinstates 'Mamuluki' in school drama and music roles

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