Government Reaffirms Commitment to Creative Industry Growth at Mombasa Creatives Forum
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), a State agency under the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling regulatory environment that allows creatives to develop and monetise their talent, emphasizing that the regulation of audiovisual content is a catalyst for innovation, investment, and industry growth.
Speaking during the Creatives Recovery and Resilience Forum, themed "Beyond Survival: Building a Thriving, Resilient and Sustainable Creative Industry," at Baraza Media Lab in Mombasa, KFCB Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Nelly Muluka, urged creatives to leverage Government initiatives designed to help them monetise their talent, create jobs, and build wealth.
"The Government of Kenya recognises the creative economy as a strategic driver of youth empowerment, innovation, job creation, and economic growth under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)," she said. She added that through the regulation of audiovisual content, consumer protection, and stakeholder engagement, KFCB is enabling creatives to create and monetise their work while safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from exposure to inappropriate content.
The Ag. CEO said KFCB is implementing reforms to make regulation more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of creatives. These include digitising filming and licensing services, rolling out the self-classification model, developing the Regulator's Handbook for Film Practitioners in Kenya, redefining the role of film agents, and expanding access to film exhibition through the Cine-Mobile Truck and the Nairobi Film Centre. These reforms are strengthening the regulatory framework, attracting investment, and fostering a more competitive and sustainable Orange Economy.
While acknowledging the continued growth of Kenya's creative sector, Ms Muluka observed that many creatives still face challenges, including mental health concerns and the rapid pace of technological change. She emphasized that addressing these challenges requires collaboration among stakeholders.
Other speakers at the forum called for a collaborative and structured approach to championing the interests of creatives, with greater focus on capacity building, financial support, mentorship, and mental well-being.
The forum was organised by iTana Kenya Foundation, SekiBa Empire Ltd, and other partners, bringing together creatives and industry stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the sector, with a focus on creatives' mental well-being.