By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The government, in partnership with the Kenya Cultural Centre, is taking bold steps to transform the creative sector, ensuring that Kenyan artists can tell their stories to the world while earning a sustainable income.
During a meeting with the leaders of the Kenya Cultural Centre, the government addressed the acceleration of reforms intended to enhance the visual and performing arts.
By implementing initiatives such as Poetry after Lunch, Ngoma na Sarakasi, and the Kenya International Theatre Festival, the government seeks to support artists in achieving sustainable livelihoods while disseminating Kenya’s narratives internationally.
The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen said that the creatives in Kenya have the distinctive power to transcend geographical boundaries, regional confines, and ethnic strata and tell the Kenyan story in the most palatable and relatable form.
“It is for this reason that we are working with the Kenya Cultural Centre, partners and stakeholders in the creative sector in investing in visual and performing arts and supporting programmes like Poetry After Lunch, Ngoma na Sarakasi, Kenya International Theatre Festival, Kenya Theatre Awards and the Creative Africa project to enable our artists to earn a descent income off their talents,” the CS said on X.
According to Hon. Murkomen they discussed ways of fast-tracking these reforms with the Kenya Cultural Centre Board Chair Kungu Muigai and CEO Michael Pundo at Talanta Plaza, Nairobi on Tuesday afternoon.
He commended cycling as it plays a key role in enhancing human wellness and advancing our climate action goals.
“Cycling plays a key role in enhancing human wellness and advancing our climate action goals by reducing emissions. As a nation, we are committed to expanding our sports portfolio to increase global competition participation and solidify our reputation as a sports powerhouse,” CS Murkomen said on X.
However, with increased investment in the arts, the government and its partners are working tirelessly to create opportunities for Kenyan artists to thrive and contribute to the country’s rich cultural heritage.