Ruto launches year-round National Talent Search from Bungoma State Lodge
Key points
- President Ruto announced a Kenya National Talent Search at the 98th Kenya Music Festival State Concert, Bungoma State Lodge, Friday 14 August 2026.
- It is meant to run all year, nationwide, across music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport and other fields.
- DP Kithure Kindiki is to coordinate; the State Department for Youth, the Creative Economy Office and the Sports Fund are to roll it out immediately.
- Inaugural theme: “Kenya Beyond 2030.” Winners to be recognised at the next Kalasha awards; SomaPlay and Science Fair winners also get new State House space.
Friday night at Bungoma State Lodge was a music-festival concert that turned into a casting call for the whole republic. President William Ruto used the State Concert of the 98th Kenya Music Festival to order a Kenya National Talent Search, Eastleigh Voice reported.
“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 told the State Department for Youth, his Creative Economy Office and the Sports Fund to start without delay, and put Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in charge of government coordination. The first theme, he said, should be “Kenya Beyond 2030,” and school creative events should carry it from next year. He wants to meet the winners at the next Kalasha International Film and TV Awards. He also said SomaPlay — the Education ministry platform that streamed this year’s festival — should grow to drama, sport, learning material and safe children’s entertainment so creatives can earn. Separately he directed Education to bring Kenya Science and Engineering Fair winners to State House from next year, noting the fair has run since 1962 without that visit.
A lodge announcement is not a bursary line
Year-round searches need county auditions, judges and a budget, not only a Kalasha photo. Kindiki’s coordination brief should show a cash vote or it will sit next to other festival promises.
Kenya news: Kenya News. Verified venue, 98th festival, Kindiki role and Kalasha/SomaPlay/Science Fair add-ons from Eastleigh Voice.
Youth and Sports should publish the first-year county calendar. Kalasha organisers should say which category the Search feeds.
Schools should wait for a circular before rebranding festivals as “Beyond 2030” homework.
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Official gazettes, court rulings and agency circulars may update these facts after publication; readers should verify any deadline, fee or court date against primary sources before acting.
Based on Eastleigh Voice reporting of the Bungoma State Concert. Programme details may change at rollout.
