Ruto to Hire Artists & Content Creators Into Civil Service, Orders Full Funding for Drama Festivals
President William Ruto has unveiled sweeping reforms targeting Kenya’s creative economy and education sector, announcing plans to formally absorb artists and content creators into the civil service while directing full government funding for national drama festivals.
The announcement was made at State House, Nairobi, during the National Drama Festival State Concert held on Friday, April 17, marking what officials described as a significant policy shift aimed at mainstreaming the creative industry into national development frameworks.
In his address, the Head of State revealed that the Public Service Commission has already approved a new staffing structure under the State Department of Creative Economy, setting the stage for recruitment of creatives into government roles.
“I am pleased that the Public Service Commission has approved the staff structure for the State Department of Creative Economy. Soon, we will be bringing your service and talent into government to drive this vision forward,” Ruto stated.
The move signals a departure from traditional employment pathways in public service, with the government now seeking to leverage artistic talent in sectors such as communication, education, and cultural development.
Ruto further tasked the Kenya Film Commission with expanding inclusivity in the creative sector by introducing dedicated categories for student productions at national award platforms, including the widely recognised Kalasha Awards.
“I have directed the Kenya Film Commission to introduce a category for student films, particularly those emerging from festivals such as this, so that our young storytellers can be seen, celebrated, and inspired to aim higher,” he added.
In a move aimed at boosting incomes for creatives, the President directed the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy to ensure that at least 30 per cent of government advertising is allocated to local artists and content creators. Compliance with this directive, he noted, will be tracked through performance contracting across government agencies.
The reforms also address long-standing concerns about the exclusion of non-teacher creatives from school-based programmes. Ruto called for formal recognition of trainers and professionals who support drama festivals but are not registered under the Teachers Service Commission.
“I want to ask that these creatives and trainers working with our children should not be excluded. They must be mainstreamed within festival cycles despite not being TSC-registered teachers,” he said.
The directive follows past controversies, including the case involving Cleophas Malala, whose participation in the National Drama Festivals faced challenges over eligibility concerns tied to teacher registration requirements.
To ensure structure and credibility, the President directed key institutions, including the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and the Kenya Cultural Centre, to develop clear guidelines for vetting and engaging creatives within school programmes.
In addition, the government unveiled a new digital platform dubbed Soma Play, which will be hosted on the eCitizen portal. The platform is designed to facilitate the monetisation and distribution of children’s plays and drama content.
Analysts say the reforms reflect a growing recognition of the creative industry as a key economic driver, with the potential to generate employment, promote cultural identity, and contribute to the country’s GDP.
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Ruto to Hire Artists & Content Creators Into Civil Service, Orders Full Funding for Drama Festivals
