By E, KNA
The government plans to transform the Kenya institute of Mass Communication into a centre of media training excellence that empowers learners with hands-on, industry-ready skills that align with the demands of today’s creative economy.
Principal Secretary State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (SDBT) Stephen Isaboke reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support the institution with the required resources for training of media practitioners.
He gave the assurance during the 5th Graduation ceremony at the KIMC Eldoret Campus that saw 27 graduands in film production, broadcast journalism and other courses transition into the job industry.
He commended the remarkable partnership between the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and the County Government of Uasin Gishu over the last seven years since the inception of the satellite campus in the region.
“We appreciate the contribution of the County which enabled the institution to offer cutting-edge media training to young creative minds, working professionals, and aspiring media practitioners in the talent rich region that covers North Rift, Western and Nyanza belts,” he said.
Isaboke said the collaboration has brought training closer to the people, ensuring that residents no longer have to travel long distances to pursue quality education in communication, creative arts and mass media.
“This proximity has opened doors for young creative minds, working professionals, and aspiring media practitioners who can now access industry-grade skills with ease,” he noted.
“This partnership demonstrates what is possible when institutions and governments work together. It is a testament to our shared commitment to empower the youth, strengthen local talent, and build a thriving media ecosystem for Uasin Gishu and beyond,” added PS Isaboke.
He affirmed the ministry’s commitment working together with KIMC leadership to build KIMC Eldoret Campus into a true centre of excellence in media training.
While acknowledging the immense potential of communication in the region, the PS announced plans to position the Eldoret campus as the regional hub for innovation, talent development, and artistic expression.
To realize this vision, he indicated that the Government is prioritizing consistent and sustainable funding to support the full development of the campus in order to fulfil the vision of making it a regional innovation hub.
The upscaling of the institution includes the construction of modern physical learning facilities that meet global training standards and the establishment of state-of-the-art studios and work stations for cinematography, sound production, broadcast engineering and theatre arts.
He encouraged the young people, including the graduates, to leverage the expanded ICT infrastructure by the Government under the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy Pillar of the 5th Administration’s BETA Plan, to access online job opportunities, create content, build businesses, and participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Isaboke revealed that the Government is expanding Kenya’s fiber optic internet cable backbone by an additional 100,000 kilometers, setting up 1,450 Digital Hubs and installing 25,000 WiFi hotspots across the country.
“These growing investments in ICT infrastructure coupled with the skills offered by KIMC and other institutions are aimed at opening up the digital value chains for wealth and employment creation,” he stressed.
He mentioned that they are in advanced stages of establishing a state-of-the-art ICT and Creative Hub at KIMC Eldoret Campus to nurture local creative talent by offering modern production studios, digital learning labs, and innovation spaces where youth can experiment, collaborate, and build commercially viable ideas.
He noted that the Government through KBC is also setting up Studio Mashinani from which media entrepreneurs can curate world class multimedia content. Additionally, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), is establishing Media hubs, which are shared spaces equipped with high-speed internet and computers to enable journalists to file their stories much more easily.
The PS emphasized on the recalibration of the Kenya News Agency (KNA) to become the anchor of Government communication in the Counties and Sub-Counties.
Additionally, he said the ministry is reforming the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) to make it a fit-for-purpose national broadcaster to return it to the core of Kenya’s vibrant broadcasting ecosystem as the incubation centre for journalistic excellence in Kenya and beyond.