Equity was among the key stakeholders of the 2026 Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF), praised by the President for their active role in shaping Kenya’s future and championing the creative economy through youth empowerment during the festival’s State Concert at State House, Nairobi. 

“Your contribution strengthens Kenya and the creative industry. It also inspires young people and positions our nation as a global hub of talent and innovation,” said President Ruto. 

Speaking earlier at the close of the 64th edition of KNDFF at Kagumo Teachers Training College, Dr. Elyas Abdi, Director General at the Ministry of Education, singled out Equity for its sustained investment in education and talent development. 

“Equity is a partner not only in drama and music but also through major scholarship programs targeting high school students. Initiatives such as the Wings to Fly program continue to open doors for learners across the country,” he said, referring to the Ksh 25 million sponsorship, alongside cash rewards, trophies, and certificates awarded to winners in various categories. 

Congratulating top performers, including Mount Kenya University (MKU), which emerged as the overall best institution, Dr. Abdi described the festival as a powerful learning platform under Kenya’s competency-based education system. 

“This festival is more than a showcase of talent; it is a pedagogical instrument of profound significance. Through competency-based education, it cultivates essential 21st-century skills, what we call soft skills,” he noted. 

Mount Kenya University reaffirmed its dominance by winning Best University Overall and Most Prolific University for a third consecutive year (2024, 2025, 2026). Kenyatta University (KU) won Best University Play and Overall Winning Film School with Echoes of Machismo, also scooping awards for Best Feature Film, Best Screen Narrative, and Best Actor (Bright Baraka). 

Other standout performers who earned a chance to showcase their talent at the prestigious State House gala included Bartolimo Boys Senior School (Baringo North) and Arap Moi Junior School, which emerged as the Best Overall Primary School and received the Equity Bank Overall Winner’s Trophy. 

Overcoming Faith School from Bunyore in Western Kenya also delivered an outstanding performance in the pre-school categories, winning the Overall Singing Games title with My Savings, alongside awards for Best Costume and Décor, Most Creative Dance, and Best Choreography. 

During the State Concert at State House, Nairobi, Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director Moses Nyabanda crowned the moment by presenting the overall winner’s trophy to Arap Moi Junior School, celebrating creativity and the transformative power of nurturing young talent. 

“Equity congratulates all the winners and participants who made the festival a powerful display of talent and dedication,” said Nyabanda, while thanking the Ministry of Education for the partnership. 

He emphasized the bank’s focus on technology-driven financial inclusion, noting that digital platforms have transformed banking into a lifestyle, something you do, not just a place you go. 

Equity Bank Kenya Head of Education Sector, Peter Ndoro, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing talent and helping young people translate creativity into sustainable economic opportunities. 

“We are here to support learners and trainers, helping young people turn talent into enterprise. You can now bank from anywhere, at any time, without barriers of space. Our commitment to education goes well beyond this festival,” Ndoro said. 

He highlighted the bank’s tailored financial solutions for schools, teachers, students, and parents, underscoring a long-term partnership with the education sector. 

Throughout the festival, Equity maintained a strong presence through interactive engagements, reinforcing its role as a supportive and responsive partner. The bank also championed content monetization, advocating for systems that enable young creatives to earn from their talent as co-curricular pathways gain prominence. 

In addition, Equity team leaders presented trophies and cash prizes to top-performing schools and trainers across Upper Primary, Junior, and Senior Secondary categories, cementing its role as a key enabler of talent, creativity, and opportunity. 

Equity played an active role in the festival by fostering youth empowerment, nurturing artistic talent, and promoting creative expression as part of its educational and community development initiatives. The bank’s involvement is part of a broader strategy to support Competency-Based Education (CBC) pathways, fostering skills in drama, film, and music that serve as engines for innovation and national cultural development.