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{
"id": 1564091,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1564091/?format=api",
"text_counter": 211,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
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"content": "have its support. The council will provide resources to support training and capacity building. Mr. Temporary Speaker, I have heard of several instances where Kalenjin, Luo, and Kikuyu artists have approached their representatives, requesting assistance to purchase a piano. I am sure that even my friend, Sen. Cherarkey, has encountered situations where an artist shares their struggles of being invited to perform as a comedian to Churchill Live Show, but lacks fare to travel to Nairobi, or a musician unable to buy a guitar. Similarly, a talented filmmaker or photographer, passionate, well-trained and composed, may struggle to afford essential equipment like a camera worth Kshs80,000. There is a need for a framework where the Government provides support and investment for creatives, ensuring a viable business case for their entry into the industry. We propose that funds currently allocated to the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage for general support, without clear accountability in terms of vote heads, should instead be directed to creatives through the council. This would allow creatives to identify their own challenges, empower their peers and invest in their industry. This will ensure that when a creative seeks support, it comes from within their own community. This is what this Bill proposes. Since everything I have outlined is already well articulated within the Bill, I would like to listen to my colleagues rather than continue speaking further on this matter. However, I must emphasize that the creative economy sector contributes so much to Kenya’s participation in the global economy. The skills and products in this sector transcend borders, leaving no doubt about its significance. If a council controls industrial policy, it will inform our policies as Government leaders, ensuring engagement with emerging opportunities in the creative economy. I would like to illustrate this. I know that Sen. Cherarkey, as a lawyer, may want to contribute to this discussion since he is in the House. Let us consider the manufacturing sector. For example, Kenya may lack the capacity to manufacture ketchup, and it may be best produced in South Africa. However, with strong industrial policy informed by creatives, young graphic designers could be involved in branding. Instead of solely importing ketchup, we could require that local graphic designers brand the product, enabling them to earn from its retail price. It is possible. Currently, this does not happen because creatives do not control industrial policy, making it difficult to identify related industries that could support their livelihoods. Mr. Temporary Speaker, I have visited buildings in this country where lifts are imported, but the voiceovers announcing floors are in Chinese. In creative industries, this is known as voiceover work. Why not import lifts without the voice overs and allow our young people to create localized voiceovers in Kiswahili? They can do the voiceovers in Kiswahili and tell us, and I quote, “Unaenda orofa ya kwanza, ya pili au ya tatu ”. They can even speak in sheng. This is just an example. I can give you more and more. There is need for persons in the creative economy tailoring voiceovers to various sectors such as production, manufacturing, education and media. Every mainstream sector consumes creative products. However, it is difficult for creatives to profit from them because of lack of The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}