Content creators stand to benefit from county governments’ grants should a new Bill be enacted as is.

The Creative Industry Support Bill, 2024, sponsored by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, seeks to standardise support to persons in the creative industry.

He proposes that the Cabinet Secretary for Education shall, in consultation with the National Treasury counterpart, put in place measures for granting incentives, including tax reliefs.

“The incentives and benefits shall only be made available to members of the Guild whose names have been entered into the roll,” reads part of the Bill.

Create employment

Oketch argues that the needs of persons in the creative economy have been neglected as emphasis is laid on mainstream sectors.

“The creative economy leverages on human creativity, innovation and ideas as a means of economic development. Citizens working in the creative industry contribute to the gross domestic product by creating employment opportunities, paying taxes as a result of the activities they are involved in,” reads part of the Bill.

Oketch, while moving the motion on the Bill, which is now in the second stage in the Senate, said the Bill seeks to find a long-lasting solution to challenges that creatives face

“People in the creative industry are sometimes seen as people who did not succeed in the traditional modes of survival,” said Oketch.

“This Bill seeks to change the mindset that creatives is a place that people go to as a last resort. That change of attitude will start to happen when we, as a House, move issues affecting creatives from the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage to the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.”

He said that the payment systems are complex and the multi-faceted nature of jurisdictions makes it impossible for creatives to get more money or adequate resources that are commensurate with the products that they give.

 While seconding the motion, Danson Mungatana (Tana River) said that creative economies are not restricted to the counties or to the country.

“The Bill is a good attempt at creating a system that will recognise creatives and make it possible for them to earn a living from what they do best.”

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruyiot charged that part of the challenge is the desire to ensure that the various sectors perform optimally, be it agriculture, finance or the creative economy.

“If there is a sector that I still feel the government of the day needs to focus its attention on, it is the creative economy. This Bill is one of the many ways through which we can ensure that we provide the necessary support to the content creators in the creative economy,” said Cheruyiot.

Talented people

He added: “We know that there are many talented people in this country, from filmmakers to actors and actresses, thespians, musicians, and producers. What they lack is a channel through which they can access support to grow.”

Samson Cherargei (Nandi) is rooting for the celebration of those who excel in the creative industry by naming places, roads or government buildings after them.

“They have given us a name. Even the people who sang the national anthem gave a lot to this country. The president has pushed for monetising of the content creation, especially on TikTok, Facebook and X, among other social media sites.