US–based Kenyan actor urges government to enhance support for the creative sector

The government has been challenged to enhance support for the creative sector so as to unlock the its economic potential as well as create jobs for the youth.

The creative and arts industry is touted as the best shot towards addressing the unemployment crisis in the country according to stakeholders and players in the sector, according to players.

They aver that the government can support the growth of the creative economy by investing in infrastructure, developing entrepreneurial skills, reviewing policies that hinder growth and promoting digital platforms.

This includes strengthening copyright laws, ensuring fair compensation for artists and establishing a creative fund to provide financial support to creatives thereby fostering business growth and innovation.

According to Bishop John CW of Share The Love Center Ministry, located in Kennol, Murang’a County, the creative sector has a myriad of opportunities which if unlocked, will create jobs for over 5 million talented youths.

“The Government support can encourage the development and use of online platforms that help creatives connect with audiences, market their work, and monetise their skills. It’s high time it recognize the economic and social impact of the creative economy and champion its growth within government policy,” the Bishop said.

Bishop ‘CW’ John is a lead actor in a recently released Nollywood movie dubbed ‘Prophet Suddenly 3’ that has attracted over 2 million views a week after it was released. His stage name in the movie is ‘Bishop Bazuu Maina’.

The Bishop, known for his interdenominational ministry, asserted that creatives talents should be supported so as to make a meaningful life out of their art adding that time is ripe for talented but jobless youths turn their talents into their sources of income for them to lead decent lives.

In an interview during his milestones celebrations at the Church, the cleric asserted that acting and/or participating in creative content has proved to be an effective way of ministering gospel, adding that players in the sector can draw a myriad of inspirations from the movie.

His movie was casted in Murang’a County, Nigeria and USA. This highlighted potential the country holds in terms of creative and cultural content that can be exploited to put the country in the global stage.

He pointed out that the creative economy being one of the fastest growing sectors should be identified not only as a source of employment but also as an enabler of national cohesion and innovation adding that Kenya’s creative economy presents economic and cultural opportunities that require development.

The Bishop at the same time rallied Kenyan creatives, especially those in who create content on gospel ministry or religious art, to exploit opportunities in the digital space to grow and sustain their talents.

“I would advice the youth in the creative industry, and I’m biased to those producing religious content, to use their phones to drive their growth in the industry. There’s no need to wait. They don’t require huge equipments like cameras to start and grow, they can use their phones for the work,” he said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Evangelist Evangeline Karimi who rallied support for the talented youths so as to perk up their livelihoods. She noted that most youths are jobless despite being skilled due to frustrations from the government and at times by the society.

She added that Share The Love Center Ministry, youngsters are nurtured, trained and equipped with requisite skills required to succeed in this digital age.

“We plead with the government through the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage to make the funds available for the talented youths so that they can be able to monetize their work. Producing content is costly and with financial hiccups our youth end up losing hope,” Karimi said.

Tabitha Small, a budding actor, called on the government to scout and support talents in villages, schools, universities and colleges adding that the state should establish public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand training opportunities and bridge the digital divide in creative communities.

Stakeholders say that Kenya’s creative sector’s evolution is attributable to many factors including the expanded digital environment, characterized by increased consumption of creative works, improved Internet infrastructure, better legislative framework, and a growing global interest in Africa’s creative sector.

Collectively, these factors have created opportunities for diverse revenue streams, especially for the youth who make the biggest number in the population and whose innovative and creative talents have thousands seeking entrepreneurship opportunities for the betterment of their livelihoods.