
Nyeri County, through the Department of Trade, Culture, Tourism and Cooperative Development, is working on a policy document to promote its cultural heritage and support local artists.
The draft document, titled Cultural and Heritage Policy, is intended to govern training and mentorship for artists, filmmakers, photographers, and animators based on UNESCO best practices. This initiative aims to position the county as a potential tourism hub in Kenya and beyond.
“The County is in the process of formulating a Cultural and Heritage Policy, and this workshop is a crucial step in that process. The input will help us build a robust and inclusive framework that will guide the growth of our cultural and creative sectors,” said Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga when he officially closed a two-day capacity-building workshop for stakeholders.
Dr Kahiga described the partnership between the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy and Research Analysis with the County as a welcome move, insisting that it will help shape the future of cultural heritage preservation and documentation, as well as the promotion of culture and the creative industry for sustainable development.
The Chief Officer for Trade, Culture, Tourism and Cooperative Development, George Mwangi, stated that the initiative will enhance the county’s status as an ideal place where unique talents are not only nurtured but also documented.
Mr Mwangi noted that one of the objectives of the policy document is to ensure artists can utilise their talent in ways that can propel them into stardom and open up opportunities for them to earn income.
“The document is still in the draft stage, and we hope to present it to the public so that they can have their say on the proposals. We want a document that is all-inclusive and that will guide us on how we can improve our cultural heritage as a tourism marketing strategy for this county. Ultimately, we need to promote the rich talents of our young people and ensure they can earn money from their unique skills,” pointed out Mwangi.
Last month, the County opened an online application portal for young individuals interested in pursuing a career inthe creative arts, dubbedNyeri Youth Talent Search.
To be considered for the training, applicants were required to showcase their talents during the interview process to qualify for the capacity-building training programme, courtesy of the County government, the Kenya Film Commission, and the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
Women and people with disabilities have been specially encouraged to apply.
To register, one must log into the online application platform and provide personal details, including the area of interest.
The deadline for applications is set for February 8, 2025.
Mwangi told KNA that among the areas of interest they are seeking include photography, filmmaking, graphic design, animation, music, and videography.
The officer said the county aims to harness the varied talents of young people currently intending to venture into thecreativeindustry as a means of creating alternative income avenues for youth, while also showcasing the unique talents of Kenyans both locally and internationally.
“This will be our fifth year as a county organising a talent search for young people with a passion for the creativearts. Last year, we managed to train a total of 100 youths in a similar programme in conjunction with the Kenya Film Commission and hope to do the same this year. Once theseartistshave completed the training, they will be issued with certificates which they can use to seek available openings where they can showcase their skills to be hired,” he said.
The official also clarified that the training period will last between two weeks and a month, depending on budgetary allocation.
During his second State of the County address on December 4 last year, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga outlined his plans to transform the county into a preferred cultural and tourism destination in the country.
Kahiga, while addressing members of the Nyeri County Assembly, stated that the county had also embarked on a long-term goal of establishing a Mau Mau Museum and was awaiting the allocation of more land from the National Land Commission.
He said the county was working in collaboration with other stakeholders, including the Kenya Film Classification Commission, to promote the tourism sector in the county, which is famed for Mount Kenya, the Aberdare game reserves, and its rich vegetation.
“As a county, we are committed to conserving our fauna and flora by developing tourism sites, goods, and services, connecting them to local and regional tourism circuits. The county has engaged in key partnerships to enhance its cultural and tourism profile. Through these collaborations, the county signed an MOU with the Kenya Film Commission, which will undoubtedly position Nyeri as a prime filming destination,” he said.
By KNA NEWS