Speaking during the colorful ceremony attended by filmmakers, actors, producers, musicians and digital content creators, William Ruto praised Kenyan creatives for reshaping Africa’s storytelling landscape through bold, authentic and globally competitive productions.
The Head of State said the government recognizes the creative economy as one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors and a key driver of youth employment, innovation and cultural diplomacy.
He noted that Kenya’s film and television industry has evolved from a niche sector into a powerful economic force capable of creating thousands of jobs while exporting Kenyan culture and talent to the world.
Ruto said local creatives are no longer merely entertaining audiences but are also influencing conversations, preserving heritage and projecting Kenya’s image internationally through cinema, television and digital media.
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“The creative industry is one of the pillars of our economic transformation agenda. Kenyan storytellers are proving that our stories matter and can compete on any global platform,” the President said.
The awards gala showcased some of the country’s finest productions, with winners recognized across categories including acting, directing, cinematography, scriptwriting and digital content creation.
The event also highlighted the rapid growth of streaming platforms and the increasing demand for African stories by international audiences.
Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the sector through policy reforms, investment incentives and improved infrastructure aimed at nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for creatives.
He said efforts are underway to strengthen copyright protections and create a more enabling environment for artists and filmmakers to thrive.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the President’s remarks, saying government backing could unlock the immense potential within Kenya’s creative economy.
Many artists called for increased funding, better distribution channels and expanded training programs to help local productions gain greater international visibility.
The Kalasha Awards, organized annually by the Kenya Film Commission, have become one of the most prestigious platforms celebrating excellence in East Africa’s film and television industry.
Saturday’s event not only celebrated artistic achievement but also signaled Kenya’s growing ambition to position itself as a continental hub for film, television and digital content production.
