Ruto markets 2060 Vision at Music Festivals, puts creative economy at heart of post-2030 agenda
Arts & Culture
By
Benard Lusigi and Jackline Inyanji
| Aug 15, 2026
President William Ruto yesterday rallied Kenyans to back the 2060 vision plan, describing it as an ultimate game-changer for the country's development.
Speaking during the State Concert of the 98th Kenya Music Festival in Bungoma at Bungoma State Lounge, the President said Kenya’s conversation on its future beyond Vision 2030 must actively involve young people, whose lives will be directly shaped by decisions made today.
Ruto told thousands of learners gathered in Bungoma that their performances through poetry, song and dance had carried a similar message about the Kenya they wanted.
“Kenya’s young people know the country they want, and they are already helping to build it,” he said.
He said the performers had gone beyond entertainment by using their talents to express their hopes, frustrations and aspirations while challenging society to reflect on the country's future.
“You have not just entertained us; you have held up a mirror to our nation and invited us to imagine what Kenya can become,” Ruto said.
The President said some of the learners participating in the festival could become the next generation of globally recognised Kenyan artistes, citing Bien, Njerae, Nyashinski and Lupita Nyong’o.
Ruto singled out Njerae, who participated in the Kenya Music Festival and studied classical music while in school, before developing a career as a singer, songwriter and producer.
“Somewhere among you may be the next Bien, Njerae, Nyashinski or Lupita Nyong’o a Kenyan who will one day command the world’s stages and screens alongside artistes such as Burna Boy, Tems, and Tyla,” he said.
Ruto said the creative industry had expanded rapidly because of technology, enabling artistes to reach international audiences without relying on traditional record labels, physical albums or radio stations.
“Today, a song recorded in Bungoma can reach Nairobi, Lagos, London, or São Paulo within seconds,” he said.
He noted that the global recorded music industry generated nearly US$32 billion, about Sh4.1 trillion, last year, with almost 70 per cent of the revenue coming from streaming.
The President opined that in sub-Saharan Africa, recorded music revenue grew by more than 15 per cent to US$120 million, equivalent to about Sh15.6 billion.
“These figures carry a clear message: music is not only culture and entertainment. It is also commerce, intellectual property, employment, and export income,” said Ruto.
Ruto said the Government would therefore ensure that the creative economy was not relegated to the margins in the development plans beyond Vision 2030.
“As we discuss Kenya Beyond Vision 2030, the creative economy cannot be an afterthought. It must be central to our plans,” said Ruto.
The President said the country must create an education system that allows every learner to discover and develop their abilities regardless of their parents' financial circumstances.
He said learning opportunities should not be determined by a student's ability to pay, but by the learner's potential and commitment to education.
Ruto said the Higher Education Bill before Parliament was part of efforts to ensure learners are able to complete their courses without being pushed out of higher education because of financial difficulties.
He said the proposed framework would help address challenges that prevent students from completing their studies and ensure that access to education is based on the learner's needs and ability rather than the financial capacity of their parents.
“The Government, working with the private sector, will therefore establish the Kenya National Talent Search to identify talent and innovation in music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport, and other fields throughout the year and in every part of Kenya,” he said.
He directed the State Department for Youth to work with his Creative Economy Office and the Sports Fund to roll out the programme without further delay.
The President said the inaugural theme of the talent search would be “Kenya Beyond 2030”, with school creative events expected to adopt the same theme from next year.
He said he would personally recognise the winners of the National Talent Search during the next Kalasha International Film and TV Awards.
Ruto said the Government had made education a priority despite a difficult fiscal environment, noting that 100,000 teachers had been recruited in three years since 2022, with another 20,000 expected to be hired by the end of the current financial year.
He said the Government was also expanding classrooms, laboratories, student hostels and other education facilities across the country.
Under the competency-based system, he said, music, drama, sports and the arts had been recognised as career pathways rather than activities to be supported only after other needs had been met.
Ruto also announced plans to recognise young scientists and innovators by bringing winners of the annual Kenya Science and Engineering Fair to State House from next year.
He noted that schools had held the annual science and innovation competition since 1962, but its winners had never been formally presented at State House.