Dr. Donald Otoyo has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the East African Journalists in Arts & Culture (EAJAC), a regional body championing stronger media coverage of the creative sector.
Dr. Otoyo, who serves as Director of the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) and has been instrumental in standardizing payments for artists during government events, accepted the appointment during a ceremony at Alliance Française Nairobi on Friday 15th August 2025.
The appointment positions him at the center of a regional initiative aimed at transforming how Kenyan artists, musicians and cultural personalities are covered in the media a move that could have significant implications for the country’s thriving creative sector.
As the man responsible for entertainment at national celebrations and presidential functions, Dr. Otoyo brings unique insights into both the challenges facing Kenyan artists and the government’s vision for the creative economy.
“Dr. Otoyo has been working behind the scenes to elevate standards in our cultural productions and ensure fair compensation for artists at government events,” noted EAJAC Chairman Boniface Mwalii. “His appointment as Patron of this association demonstrates the need for stronger linkage between the media and practitioners in the sector to drive growth in the creative industry.”
Dr. Otoyo’s portfolio includes oversight of the Kenya Music Festival, which brings together over 2 million young talents annually. His other recent initiatives include developing the National Music Policy and mobilizing funding from international donors to support creative industry development.
The appointment comes as President William Ruto’s administration has increasingly emphasized the creative economy as a key pillar of Kenya’s economic diversification strategy.
“This isn’t just about better newspaper reviews or entertainment TV segments,” explained Mwalii. “It’s about ensuring that as Kenya positions itself as a regional creative hub, our stories are told professionally and reach the audiences they deserve.”
Joining Dr. Otoyo on the EAJAC Advisory Board are six other high-profile figures who collectively represent decades of experience in diplomacy, media and creative industries.
They include Kenya’s former Consul General to Los Angeles Amb. Thomas Kwaka, veteran journalist Christine Nguku, Sarakasi Trust founder Marion Op Het Veld, intellectual property lawyer Angela Ndambuki as well as media entrepreneurs Kamuzu Banda and Njoki Karuoya.
