President William Ruto has announced that the government will sponsor the Kalenjin Music Festival, an initiative started by the late Johana Ngeno, with Sh20 million annually for the next five years to support artists and promote local culture.
Ruto said the festival will now be taken over and managed by the Ministry responsible for arts and culture as part of preserving Ngeno’s legacy.
“For the next five years, the government will allocate Sh20 million every year to support this initiative. The programme will be taken over by the ministry responsible for arts so that the work Ngeno started can continue,” Ruto said.
He was speaking on Friday during the funeral service of the late Emurua Dikirr MP in Emurua Dikirr and four of his aides who perished together in a helicopter crash in Nandi.
The President described Ngeno as a leader who had a deep passion for supporting local artists and promoting cultural talent within the Kalenjin community and beyond.
“Ngeno was not only a leader here in Emurua Dikirr but also a champion for artists in our community. He travelled widely speaking about the challenges facing creatives and how they could be supported,” Ruto said.
According to the President, the late legislator frequently approached him to discuss the welfare of artists and ways to strengthen the creative industry.
He recalled a conversation they had in December when Ngeno sought government support for a major music festival that had attracted thousands of artists and fans.
“I remember when I visited the family in Nairobi in December, Ngeno reached out to me seeking Sh30 million to support a major event for artists,” the President said.
Ruto recounted that the request came just days before the event, leaving him wondering how the funds would be mobilised within such a short time.
“I asked him, ‘You are asking for Sh20 million and giving me only two days’ notice. Where will I get that money from?’” the President said, drawing laughter from mourners.
Ngeno, he said, quickly corrected him.
“He told me, ‘It’s not Sh20 million, it’s Sh30 million,’” Ruto added, prompting more laughter from the crowd attending the funeral.
Despite the short notice, the President said he eventually intervened and directed the government to support the initiative.
“In the end, I had to make several efforts and directed the Ministry of Sports to work with him so that the artists could be supported,” he said.
Ruto said the government’s decision to institutionalise the festival was meant to honour Ngeno’s dedication to the creative sector.
“Because of the passion he had for organising and supporting artists, we have agreed that the government will take over this programme and fund it with Sh20 million every year for the next five years,” he said.
The announcement was received with applause from mourners, many of whom described the late MP as a leader who used his position to uplift local talent and bring artists together through cultural events.