Nakuru: The Draft Nakuru City Creatives Cultural Industry Policy is undergoing a review with a focus on developing a supportive legal and institutional framework for the sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, the move comes two years after Nakuru became the second county in East Africa to be placed on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) list of Creative Cities Network. Nakuru City Manager Mr. Gitau Thabanja noted that by implementing robust policies, they aim to unlock significant economic benefits in the Creatives Cultural Industry, extending beyond financial gains to drive industry growth impacting Kenyan artists, entrepreneurs, and young people nationwide.
Thabanja emphasized the importance of adopting evidence-based culture policymaking and a multi-stakeholder approach in Nakuru, a UNESCO Creative City of Folk Arts, to design programs fostering creativity for sustainable development. He made these remarks during a consultative meeting to review the Nakuru Cit
y Creatives Cultural Industry Policy – 2023, ahead of a public participation forum scheduled for July.
The draft policy addresses several issues, including copyright, access to finance, infrastructure development, and market access for local artists and creators. ‘The goal was to refine and clarify the policy’s objectives to ensure they are clearly understood by the public. Kenya’s creative sectors, including film, music, and sports, are thriving, and the world is taking notice,’ stated the City Manager.
The proposed policy outlines building partnerships among stakeholders and developing infrastructure for the creative and cultural sector. It suggests establishing an Art Fund and its management framework, enhancing skills and resource capacity, and improving market access for creative products and services. The policy also aims to promote technology use and document Nakuru’s cultural heritage.
If approved, the City Board will oversee the policy’s implementation and establish a Council for Arts, Culture and
Creative Industries. An annual review will be conducted to track progress and maintain relevance. Thabanja indicated that the policy is expected to provide a strong framework to support the growth, protection, and promotion of Nakuru’s creative sector while preserving the city’s unique cultural identity and driving socio-economic development.
Nakuru joins Port Louis in Mauritius and Nairobi in East Africa among 15 cities on the continent recognized by UNESCO for their commitment to integrating culture and creativity into their development strategies and for sharing knowledge and best practices.
Last year, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) selected Nakuru as a pilot city to map existing cultural heritage and creative industries. This was to assess the industry’s contribution to the local economy and leverage the UNESCO 2030 Culture Indicators Framework.
Thabanja noted that Nakuru’s selection as a pilot city to lead the mapping initiative af
firms the influence of culture in the multicultural city. ‘The selection of Nakuru to pilot the project is an extra cap for the city, which takes pride in its cultural diversity, earning it recognition as a UNESCO Creative City under the folk and craft category,’ he added.
Nakuru’s streets are a testament to the vibrancy of its culture, adorned with vibrant murals, graffiti, and street art that add a creative and visually appealing touch to the city. The city occasionally showcases the region’s cultural heritage and traditions through exhibitions, performances, and interactive experiences.
The Nakuru Players Theatre significantly contributes to the city’s cultural growth, hosting various plays, musicals, and cultural performances throughout the year to promote artistic expression. Another highlight is Nakuru’s popular street food festival, offering a variety of delightful street food options from different communities at affordable rates, making it a haven for food lovers.
Kenya’s creative sector is rapidl
y growing, contributing approximately five per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). From fashion, film, music, and design to digital art and photography, the industry provides jobs and serves as an important cultural and economic driver. However, structural challenges persist, including limited access to funding, fragmented support systems, and inadequate infrastructure.
The creative and cultural industries are recognized as significant contributors to Kenya’s GDP, offering substantial potential for job creation, innovation, and revenue generation.