Ruto, Kindiki pledge Ksh5M each to support families of musicians in Kenya
By Paulette Mboga, November 20, 2025Deputy President Kindiki Kithure has announced a major initiative to support artistes and their families.
During the burial of Betty Bayo on Thursday, November 20, 2025, he pledged Ksh5 million from himself and his family to a newly established trust fund aimed at taking care of the children and families of musicians.
Kindiki also revealed that President William Ruto has committed an equal amount to the same cause. The initiative seeks to prevent talented artists from dying in poverty and to provide long-term support for their loved ones.
Speaking at the Mugumo home along Kirigiti Road, near Kamiti Corner, Kindiki encouraged artists and musicians from the central region to unite and form a strong foundation.
“We will support artists, na mimi nawasihi. Marafiki wengi, artists na musicians hapa kwetu central region tuko na wengi, very talented. Please come together and let us establish a big foundation and trust to provide resources to take care of the children of artistes and the families of artists so that we don’t have our artists dying in poverty,” he said.
Call for collaboration
Kindiki said that leadership and participation from the artist community would be key to the success of the fund. He said he and his family had already set up an account for contributions and were ready to transfer their donation immediately.
“Na mimi kama moja wenu hapa area hii. I hope there is some leadership we will get from artists and musicians tusaidiane. Na mimi kama hiyo account imetengenezwa, mimi, familia yangu na mke wangu, nitachangia shilingi milioni tano ya kusaidia hawa watoto. Niambiwe, the account number I will transfer immediately,” he added.
He further confirmed that he had informed President Ruto about the trust fund, and the President personally approved and pledged Ksh5 million.
“Nimepigia rais, amenituma niwasalimie. Hata rais amesema kwa hiyo trust fund, atachangia shilingi milioni tano. Mungu awabariki,” Kindiki said.
The initiative marks a significant step in providing structured support for artists in the country, addressing a longstanding issue of financial insecurity among musicians and their families.
By bringing together government support and contributions from the local community, the trust fund aims to create a sustainable safety net that will benefit children and dependents of artists for years to come.