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The Government is seeking to digitise talent for young learners, as part of supporting the creative economy.

President William Ruto has urged the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to digitise talent showcased in the Kenya Music Festivals by developing a YouTube channel to sell children’s content.

The President said that he already gave instructions to KICD to ensure all talent on display at the music festival is digitised, even as he stated that a good measure of this process is now done.

“KICD, I am looking forward to you reporting to me how much money you have made from all this content and then I will tell you how we will share that money and maybe in the near future we will not be looking for money from the Exchequer to host talent, it should be able to run itself because we have what it takes,” Ruto said.

“Every month, Kenya is getting between Sh300 million and Sh500 million every month from these platforms so we are increasing our revenues as a country from this space,” the President added.
KICD is also expected to liaise with ICT sector to ensure that within the next month, the digitisation programme is concluded.

Saying the Government has worked hard and has the opportunity of monetising talent, Ruto also explained that a decision has been made to transform the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC).

“We made a policy decision as government that we will change PPMC to Creative Commission of Kenya and we are working on a Creative bill, which will ensure the Creative Commission will not only have professional studios in Nairobi, but also in every county so that we can give opportunity to every artist whether in primary or secondary schools to explore the opportunities available for them to be able to professionalise the art they are gifted with,” he stated.

He tasked Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba to fast track the process and ensure the Bill is presented in Parliament in two months as part of creating the right space to monetise talent.

“I was looking at one of the best paying content creators, who is now at Sh7 million every month. We already have 15 digital TVs and that space is expanding. There is opportunity for our young people and display of talent confirms what else we can do as a country to promote our economy, especially the creative economy,” Ruto explained.

He also urged Ministries of Education and Sports to ensure those who did exceptionally well in the festivals can be supported in their training within and beyond the country to give them exposure.
Ruto said some of those who get a certificate for various items in the festivals should be identified and supported with scholarships.

“I have given direction on what we need to do and agreed that as a country, we must not just watch what our children are doing, we must have a programme on how to carry it forward and ensure the talent progresses to the next level and tap into the monetisation programme to encourage artists and make sure they can carry it into the future and benefit themselves,” said Ruto.