During last year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua said at the Afraha stadium that there was plan by his government to set up a modern theatre center in the county to harness the rich talent by youths.
Stage drama and the various forms of showcasing talent of course have been used since time immemorial to reinforce culture among other functions.
Culture is learned rather than earned, and there is no price tag on any culture across the globe, even if the much idolised Western culture is anything to go by.
At birth, no one had even the slightest information of the many societal expectations needed to function effectively in their culture, but one will get surprised at the rate at which today’s children internalise information.
Apparently, we are really struggling to find a Kenyan identity, not in music, art, or any other form of expression.
It is the preservation of culture that provides each new generation with a road map to follow and act, like a reference library, we just had to consult when unknown situations are encountered.
It is was the duty of succeeding generations to modify the established behaviour or values, and construct new ones such that the buildup of past traditions could be now what we identify as our culture.
Despite the changing times, the Kenyan culture has had a serious collision and for a second has lost its vision. Children these days lack the appropriate way to act, words to say and what to value.
Think about cases of children as young as 13 years being caught in discotheques in Eldoret and other major towns across the country. This is a simple reflection of what has become of today’s generation.
The internet too has accelerated culture borrowing by making new knowledge and insights easily accessible at the click of a button at a comfort zone.
Foreigners too, bring their own practices which also become assimilated into our culture. However, if this is to change, the Kenyan media has to play a more important role in the modern era than any time in the past.
This is not to say that modern children should learn from the media exclusively or even primarily for the illumination of the current situation.
The county system of operation has proven to be particularly compelling media for providing today’s generation with significant strides about the Kenyan culture.
As such, they also serve as powerful instruments for reinforcing ideology and for providing models.