The government has moved to regulate the creative economy by appointing a task force that will provide strategic guidance and develop strategies to grow the economic and job creation contribution of the creative economy.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, June 10, CS Amina Mohammed set up the creative economy task force that will provide strategic guidance on how to improve the business operating environment for the creative economy sector.
The task force will also establish strategic coordination mechanisms across and between creative economy actors, private sector, government and development partners.
The taskforce will serve for a period of four months with effect from the date of publication of the notice.
Some of the Terms of Reference of the Taskforce are to:
1. Develop a strategy to revitalize the creative economy and facilitate the execution of the recommendations of the report by Financial Sector Deepening and other reports done for the creative sector with social-economic impact.
2. Establish strategic coordination mechanisms across and between creative economy actors, private sector, government and development partners.
3. Develop a tool to measure and articulate the cultural, social and economic value of the country's creative economy;
4. Perform any other duties that are necessary or expedient for the execution of the Taskforce mandate.
The taskforce was given the power to regulate its own procedure and also hold meetings, public forums or consultations as it shall deem necessary in such places and at such times as the taskforce shall consider necessary for the proper discharge of its mandate.
According to the notice, the taskforce will also review official reports, policy, legislation or any other document related to the taskforce mandate as well as carry out or cause to be carried out such studies or research as may be necessary to assist the taskforce to discharge its mandate.
They will also co-opt experts, in particular areas of need, as may be necessary for the execution of its mandate.
The taskforce shall be chaired by Charles Wambia of the State Department for Culture and Heritage. The members include
Fidelis Muya, Dr Donald Otoyo, Christine Mangwana, Lucas Mwago, Hiram Gachugi, James Njiru, Karimi Wandiri, Julius Manzi and Kizito Wangalwa.
Dr Kiprop Lagat and Roy Gitahi will serve as the joint secretaries.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the creative economy is an assortment of creative industries, which comprise the creation, production, marketing and distribution of products, and services resulting from human creativity.
The creative economy, further, comprises various knowledge-based economic activities involving tangible products and intangible intellectual assets, with economic and cultural value, creative content and market objectives.
These include the performing arts, the motion picture (film) and recording industries, books, journal and newspaper publishing, software games industry, music and theatre production, photography, commercial art, advertising, radio, television, and cable broadcasting industry.
