The Kenya National Drama and Film Festival has partnered with Equity Bank to support this year’s event at the national, regional, county and sub-county levels.
As a partner of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, Equity Bank contributed Sh25 million for this year’s festival that caters for rewarding outstanding schools and trainers at various competition levels through certificates, trophies and cash prizes.
The theme for this year’s National Festival, to be held in Nakuru in April, is ‘liberating technology to nurture talent, while inculcating value for social prosperity’.
Through the sponsorship, Equity Bank Kenya aims to motivate participants to excel, push their creative boundaries and raise the bar of artistic expression in the country.
Speaking during the partnership launch ceremony at Muhuri Muchiri High School in Ruai, Nairobi, the Ministry of Education’s Head of Directorate Field Coordination and Co-Curricular Activities Nelson Sifuna acknowledged the role the festivals play in shaping creatives, citing comedian and communications creative Walter Nyambane Mongare, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala among notable names.
He also lauded Equity Bank for sponsoring the festivals saying, “We are gathered here to witness a momentous occasion. While others prefer to sponsor at the national level, Equity Bank begins at the grassroots, a testament to their commitment.”
On behalf of the Ministry, Sifuna emphasized the importance of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals (KNDFF), which identifies and develops talent, thus instilling confidence in our children, while at the same time cultivating leadership skills.
Concurrently, Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director (MD) Moses Nyabanda emphasized the importance of the festival in showcasing the talent and creativity of young people, while also contributing significantly to their overall development.
Nyabanda described the moment as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity and the immense potential that lies within Kenya’s young people.
“At Equity Bank, we believe that education is the cornerstone of societal transformation. Over the years, our commitment to education has been unwavering. We have empowered thousands of students through scholarships, mentorship, and financial inclusion. Today, we extend our partnership further by supporting the Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals, a premier platform that nurtures creativity, talent, and self-expression,” he asserted.
The MD highlighted the three key pillars of Equity Bank’s partnership with the Ministry of Education including Promoting Creativity and Talent Development, where Equity Bank Kenya celebrates the richness of Kenya’s culture and the dynamism of its people and Monetizing Talent and Fostering Entrepreneurship, where the Group helps creatives transition their passion into sustainable enterprises that can create jobs and transform communities.
The third is the Rewarding of Excellence and Encouraging Best Performances, where according to Nyabanda, the Group contributes Sh25 million to support the festivals and sponsoring 16 Equity genres in the festival through the sub-theme, ‘Transforming Lives, Giving Dignity, and Expanding Opportunities for Wealth Creation.’
By Michael Omondi
