President William Ruto held a high-profile meeting with Kenyan artistes at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday morning. The engagement brought together musicians, actors, producers, and other creatives for a candid discussion on the state of the country’s entertainment industry.
The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between the government and the creative sector, which the president described as a key pillar of Kenya’s economy and national identity.
“We recognize the creative economy as a major driver of employment and innovation,” said President Ruto. “Our artists have played a central role in shaping our culture and telling the Kenyan story.”
The President assured the artistes of government support in addressing longstanding challenges, including piracy, lack of funding, and limited access to global markets.
He emphasized the need for legislation that protects intellectual property and supports local content production. He also promised reforms in the Kenya Film Classification Board and better tax policies for creatives.
Artistes in attendance expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with the head of state. They called for more platforms to showcase local talent and urged the government to invest in arts education and infrastructure.
Popular musician Nameless, who attended the meeting, said, “This is a big step. We’re happy the government is finally listening to us.”
Tuesday’s meeting is part of the government’s broader plan to boost the creative sector under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The artistes left State House optimistic, hoping that action will follow the dialogue.
By Nairobi