President Kenyatta is today (Tuesday) presiding over the 58th edition of Kenya National Drama festival 2017, taking place at Kisumu county (8th to 18th April 2017).
The theme is “Enhancing National values for development”.
Culture and the Arts is an integral part of this Administration’s priority areas, and an integral part on Kenya’s economic asset.
State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said Kenyatta’s administration promotes culture and the arts.
He said the Kenya Film School had been established, for the youth to develop film production skills and consequently, promote the local film industry.
''The intake of the first batch from the Kenya Film School was in June 2016, who graduated in December of the same year.''
In another initiative, Esipisu said Studio Mashinani was taking shape.
The project is under the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), with aim to build and operate independent audio music recording and creative production studios for recording quality audio music, commercials and jingle pieces.
''This is premised on the slogan that ‘Talent ni Kazi’. Five studios have been set up in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa in Phase One of the project: 3 studios are in Nairobi and one each in Mombasa and Kisumu),'' he said, Monday.
Speaking at Kisumu State Lodge Esipisu indicated Studio Mashinani project is based on the fact that Kenya’s music industry provides the highest growth path for the youth in engagements such as music writing, singing, dancing, recording, Disc Jockeying, Emceeing, distribution and promotion, among other music-related livelihoods.
''Despite the vast opportunities provided by the music industry, a lot of youth with talent remain unable to finance the production and publicity of their own songs.''
On Wednesday, Kenyatta would visit the Luanda Market, in Vihiga County, to commission the street lighting project. He is expected to review a number of other development projects in Luanda and Emuhaya constituencies.
''Street lighting is vital towards the development of a 24–hour economy, and is vital for enhanced security in a very vibrant transit market like Luanda,'' said Esipisu.