President William Ruto on Thursday, November 10, explained his plan to spur youths into the creative industry as part of his administration’s agenda to create employment and generate wealth.
Ruto while addressing a round table organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) at PCEA St Andrews, noted that his government was keen on refurbishing and constructing new facilities to meet the required standards.
The initiative, Ruto stated, would be a product of collaboration between the national governments and county governments.
He also hinted at adopting new policies aimed at protecting intellectual property through a well elaborate framework.
“Through collaboration with county governments, we also intend to refurbish and equip existing facilities, which may have been neglected or degraded, into modern recreational centres where the youth can train, learn, practice and generate incomes from showcasing their talent," Ruto stated.
“Our first order of business is to develop a policy framework to protect and support youth in the creative economy. This entails facilitation and capacity building, of mainly youth-owned MSMEs,” he added.
In addition, Ruto vowed to leverage digital technologies to enhance skills through education and training.
He noted that the training programs would help to incubate Kenyan start-ups as well as accelerate innovation in Kenya.
"To strengthen the sector through education, skills and training, we shall have a strong programme to support the establishment of innovation hubs for the development of skills, talents, and incubation of start-ups," noted Ruto.
Sports and Culture Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba had earlier in the day announced a deal between Kenya and South Africa that would allow local artists to collaborate with their South African counterparts in various aspects of art.
The deal was part of the deals striked between Kenya and South Africa during the state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"Our artists will collaborate in wide-ranging artistic productions, including film, music and sharing of skills and filming scenes," Namwamba stated.
