Mandera: In a move to integrate public opinion into policymaking, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through its State Department of Creative Economy, recently conducted a stakeholder engagement session in Mandera County. This event was focused on gathering insights from the youth involved in various creative industries regarding the draft Creative Economy Policy and Creative Industries Bill.

According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, the session underscored the importance of involving young people in governance to improve their quality of life. The PS highlighted that the proposed Bill and Policy are designed to maximize the creative sector’s contribution to national development and to uplift all stakeholders involved. He encouraged the youth to actively participate in government initiatives, seize opportunities, and adopt a proactive approach in their endeavors.

Sumeya Bishar, County Executive Committee member from the Mandera County Government’s Department of Social Services, emphasized that the Bill is intended to address current issues, showcase talents, and unlock the creative potential of the youth, ultimately providing them with tangible benefits. Furthermore, she announced the county government’s plan to establish an innovation center aimed at engaging the youth and enhancing their talents.

The proposed Policy and Bill categorize the creative industries into various domains, such as Visual Arts and Craft, Audio Visual and Interactive Media, Performing Arts, Design, and Literary Arts. However, stakeholders at the session expressed a desire to expand these categories. They suggested including additional domains to ensure that various creative art forms, which might have been overlooked in the current draft, are also represented and supported.