President William Ruto is using his visit to the United States to spotlight Kenya’s creative economy, with high-level talks set to connect Kenyan talent with Hollywood. While attending the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto has scheduled a series of meetings that could open doors for Kenya’s film, music, and sports industries.
How is Ruto engaging Hollywood leaders?
On September 25, Ruto will attend a roundtable with the U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Africa Business Center and AmCham Kenya. The session will bring together filmmakers, television producers, studio and streaming executives, sports figures, and senior leaders from the music industry. The goal is to explore a production pipeline that links Kenya with Hollywood.
A key highlight of the event will be a presentation by filmmaker Evette Vargas of Indigo Reign Films, who will showcase The Mara as a case study for global collaboration in the creative economy. According to the State House, these talks are designed to spark job creation, open opportunities for small businesses, and expand Kenya’s tourism sector by tapping into the global entertainment market.
What other priorities does Ruto have in New York?
Beyond the creative economy, Ruto’s agenda includes pushing for reforms in the global financial system to ensure developing countries get fair access to development financing. He is also advocating for a more inclusive United Nations that can better address peace and security challenges worldwide.
“He will also push for reforms of the United Nations to make it more inclusive and to address global peace and security challenges, including enhancing peace efforts in Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Haiti,” said State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
By Risper Akinyi