The Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs has called for increased investment in the creative economy as a sure undertaking to create more job opportunities for young people and improve the country’s economy.
This is because the sector contributes about five per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and should no longer be viewed merely as a hobby or source of entertainment.
“The creative industry has immense potential to create jobs and improve livelihoods for the young people across the country,” asserted the PS when he presided over the launch of the Uriri Film Hub at the Uriri National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) offices at Rapogi market in Migori County.
The PS said the Film Hub, established through a partnership between the Kenya Film Commission, NG-CDF and Uriri Constituency under the patronage of area Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita, would provide young people with access to film production equipment, training and mentorship opportunities.
“I want to appeal to Members of Parliament across the country to embrace similar partnerships because they can greatly complement government efforts in growing the creative economy sector,” said Jacobs.
He observed that in past years, young people who excelled academically were mainly encouraged to pursue careers in law, medicine and engineering, leaving limited opportunities for those interested in arts and sports.
Jacobs said the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system had introduced pathways that recognized talents in arts and sports, enabling learners to pursue careers aligned with their abilities and interests.
He described Kenya’s youthful population as one of the country’s greatest assets, noting that Africa remains the only continent not facing an ageing population crisis.
“Three-quarters of our population being young people is a huge resource that we can leverage to transform the economic fortunes of our country,” he said.
The PS highlighted ongoing government programmes aimed at empowering youth, including the NYOTA programme, which targets over 820,000 young people through grants, training, Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) support, social enterprises and other empowerment initiatives.
He added that the government was also creating opportunities for young people through internships under the Affordable Housing Programme, where about 5,550 youths have already been attached, alongside others working in infrastructure development projects across the country.
Similarly on labour migration, the PS noted that remittances from Kenyans working abroad had increased by more than one billion shillings in the last financial year, with young people accounting for a significant share of the contribution.
“Many of our young people working outside the country are sending money back home, which continues to support the economy,” he said.
The official emphasized the importance of strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), saying technical skills remain critical in expanding employment opportunities and addressing unemployment among young people.
Many university graduates were increasingly acquiring additional practical and soft skills to improve their competitiveness in the job market, he explained.
“Technical education has the potential to expand employment opportunities and absorb a larger number of young people into productive economic activities,” he said.
Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita said the Film Hub would serve as a platform for nurturing talent and showcasing the creativity of young people from the region.
Nyamita said the facility’s mobile production equipment would enable filmmakers to undertake productions in different parts of Migori County, including Kuria and Rongo, while reaching wider audiences nationally and internationally.
“We want young people to use this hub to showcase their talents to the world. The equipment is mobile, meaning productions can be done in different locations while still benefiting from the resources available at this facility,” he said.
by Wendy Merryl
