Stakeholders in the creative industry in Kisumu County have been urged to join hands in drafting a comprehensive creative policy that will guide and support the growth of the sector.
Beatrice Odongo, County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, Gender, and Youth Affairs, emphasized the need for a formal policy framework to nurture the creative economy in Kisumu. Speaking during the launch of Baraza Media Lab at the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Mall over the weekend, Odongo said the county is ready to collaborate with industry players to ensure the policy reflects the needs and aspirations of the creative community.
“Let’s come together so that we can develop this policy for the advancement of this sector,” she urged. Odongo noted that once the policy is in place, it will help the sector attract both local and international funding and secure dedicated budget allocations.
She added that the policy will also be key in addressing the challenges faced by creative entrepreneurs and in developing funding proposals that can draw investments into the sector.
Echoing her sentiments, Bovince Ochieng, the Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation, and Social Services in Kisumu County, praised the opening of Baraza Media Lab as a timely boost for creatives in the region.
“The Lab provides a new space for creatives in Kisumu to connect, learn, and create. It offers a platform for learning, research, and the incubation of ideas,” Ochieng said.
The initiative marks a significant step toward formalizing support for the creative industry in Kisumu County.