Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

President Kenyatta pledges boost for performing arts

President Kenyatta said the government will ensure that talent centres are established in all the 47 counties to support youth with exceptional skills in entertainment/PSCU

President Kenyatta said the government will ensure that talent centres are established in all the 47 counties to support youth with exceptional skills in entertainment/PSCU

KISUMU, Kenya, Aug 14 – President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday gave an assurance that the government will develop Kenya’s entertainment industry to make it a strong economic sector.

He said the government will support the sector so that it can compete with its peers in countries like Nigeria where entertainment creates huge employment.

President Kenyatta who spoke after hosting the Kenya Music Festival Winners’ State Concert at the Kisumu State Lodge, said more resources will be dedicated in the coming years to boost the entertainment industry.

“I want to see our entertainment industry become a sector that creates employment and the Government will play its part,” he said.

President Kenyatta said the government will ensure that talent centres are established in all the 47 counties to support youth with exceptional skills in entertainment.

The Head of State said the national music festival, which this year brought together 115,000 participants, is an important event that he will continue supporting.

“It reminds us of what it means to be a Kenyan and it also reminds us of the issues that are of concern to us as a nation,” he said. “It is a critical performance and I will always be a participant in this cultural festival,” the President.

President Kenyatta also launched a book, which will be published annually, that will document the key events of the music festival.

The Talanta Year Book of the Kenya Music Festival 2015 whose theme is ‘consolidating our national values and ideals’.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education announced at the function that the government has already set aside funds for the music festival in the 2015/2016 budget. The announcement was made by Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said the festival is the face of Kenya because it brings together participants from all levels of the country’s education system beginning from ECD centres to universities. “This festival is a microcosm of our education sector and presents the face of Kenya,” he said.

Other leaders who spoke at the event included Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, deputy Governor Ruth Odinga, Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir and the chairman of the Kenya National Music Festivals Peter Wanjohi.

The two MPs thanked the President for his frequent working visits to Kisumu and also requested him to expand the work the National Youth Service is doing in Kisumu.

“The National Youth Service is doing a good job in the areas they are working in already and we request you to expand their work to Manyatta slum, which is the largest slum in Kisumu,” Obura said.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News