Equity Bank commits KSh 25 million to Kenya National Drama and Film Festival

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Equity Bank Kenya has committed KSh 25 million to the 2025 Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, backing the competition from sub-county level all the way to the national finals. The money will reward outstanding schools and trainers at each level of the festival through certificates, trophies and cash prizes.

The partnership was launched at Muhuri Muchiri High School in Ruai, Nairobi, according to the Kenya News Agency. This year’s national festival will be held in Nakuru in April under the theme “Liberating technology to nurture talent while inculcating values for social prosperity”.

What the KSh 25 million will pay for

Equity said the sponsorship covers the festival at four levels: sub-county, county, regional and national. Rather than funding only the final showcase, the bank’s money will go to prizes for schools and drama trainers who perform well at every stage of the competition. The bank is also sponsoring 16 “Equity genres” within the festival under the sub-theme “Transforming lives, giving dignity, and expanding opportunities for wealth creation”.

Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director Moses Nyabanda said the bank’s support for the festival is built on three pillars:

• Promoting creativity and talent development, celebrating Kenya’s culture and the energy of its young people.
• Monetising talent and fostering entrepreneurship, helping creatives turn their passion into businesses that create jobs.
• Rewarding excellence, through the KSh 25 million contribution and the 16 sponsored genres.

What the Ministry of Education and Equity said

Nelson Sifuna, the Ministry of Education’s Head of Directorate of Field Coordination and Co-curricular Activities, praised the bank for starting its support at the lowest levels of the competition. “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,” he said.

Sifuna said the festival identifies and develops talent, builds confidence in children and helps them grow leadership skills. He pointed to comedian and creative Walter Nyambane Mongare, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as well-known people whose careers were shaped by the festivals.

Nyabanda described the festival as a showcase of young people’s talent and creativity that also contributes to their overall development. “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 said.

Why the sponsorship matters for schools

The drama and film festival is a major co-curricular event for Kenyan schools, with entries competing round by round from sub-county level upwards. Because Equity’s prizes start at the sub-county and county rounds, schools that do not make it to the national finals in Nakuru can still be rewarded for their work. For the bank, the deal adds to its long-running education programmes, which Nyabanda said include scholarships and mentorship.

Equity said one goal of the deal is to help young performers, writers and filmmakers turn their passion into sustainable enterprises that can create jobs and transform communities, beyond the prizes handed out at the festival itself.

Related reading

If you bank with Equity, see our guides to Equity Bank paybill, account opening and *247#, the requirements to open an Equity Bank account and the Equity Bank branches in Nairobi. Parents planning for the next school year can compare costs in our school fees in Kenya guide.