President William Ruto has unveiled Soma Play, a new digital platform designed to transform how creative content from Kenyan schools is captured, distributed and monetised, marking a significant push to grow the creative economy within the education sector.
The platform, now live on eCitizen, was launched during the Kenya National Drama Festival State Concert held at State House, Nairobi, on Friday. The event featured student performances in drama, music and spoken word, showcasing the breadth of talent the platform aims to harness.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Chief Executive Officer Charles Ong’ondo were among officials who attended the launch.
Soma Play is structured to provide nationwide access to student generated content while ensuring that learners and schools benefit financially from their work. The platform was demonstrated live during the event, offering a real time look at how content can be uploaded, accessed and monetised.
Officials said the initiative is intended to formalise student creativity by creating a structured system for managing and commercialising performances that have traditionally been limited to school audiences.
Faith Onyango, who spoke during the launch, described Soma Play as a tool to bridge the gap between talent development and economic opportunity.
“Soma Play is a digital platform that will capture, distribute and monetise the creative content we have seen from schools,” she said, adding that its integration with eCitizen ensures accessibility and nationwide reach.
Revenue model to support schools and learners
According to Onyango, revenue generated from the platform will be channelled through the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development before being redistributed to schools.
The approach is designed to ensure that both institutions and learners directly benefit from their creative output, while also supporting talent development programmes within schools.
“The revenue generated will go through KICD and back to schools to support students who demonstrate creative talent,” she said.
Officials said the model aims to create a sustainable ecosystem where schools can reinvest earnings into arts programmes, equipment and training.
The launch comes as school drama and music festivals continue to play a central role in identifying and nurturing artistic talent across Kenya. By digitising and monetising performances, the government aims to expand opportunities for young creatives beyond traditional stages.
Analysts say the platform could also widen exposure for student performers by giving them a national audience and opening pathways into the broader creative industry.
With Soma Play now operational, the government is positioning student creativity as both an educational resource and an economic asset. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to leverage digital platforms to drive innovation, improve access and unlock new revenue streams within the education sector.
