Thika theatre and film artists have been urged to come together to form a formidable force that will enable them venture in local productions that are on high time demand by upcoming television stations.
Nicholas Waiganjo, a Thika-based producer at Vunana Arts, a local production group, has said that there is a big opportunity for local artists to shine and show their ability and prowess now that broadcasters in Kenya are required to have not less than 60% local content in their TV programming.
Waiganjo asserts that by artists coming together and avoiding selfishness they can turn around the film and theatre industry in Kenya and help make several jobs for many talented youths who are still grappling with unemployment, desperation, drug abuse.
"If artists from say here in Kiambu County or even at the sub-county level came together and worked out things as one, we would likely come up with good projects rather than when we are scattered all over with everyone trying a different thing on their own," said Waiganjo in Thika Town on Tuesday.
He added that selfishness, greed and unnecessary competition were some of the reasons Kenya film and theatre scenes were still dragging behind.
"Kenya has the ability to have an African Hollywood and even have our own Oscars because all that is required is talents and talents we have in plenty. I urge all artists to work on coming together wherever they are we transform this industry," he said.
Waiganjo pointed out that he and other like minded artists are working together to bring Thika artists together before casting the net wider to cover other areas of Kiambu County.