Kenyan creatives will continue to struggle to make ends meet due to lack of proper structures to quantify and pay artists, according to new a new survey.
A research by Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis reveals that financing mechanisms are not well designed to address the unique characteristics of the sector.
KIPPRA says that issues such as the high level of informality, low collateral base, and a weak framework for valuation of creative assets have made it hard to structure the sector.
The public policy body notes that the country lacks essential infrastructure to support creatives, citing the existence of just one public theatre and no national art galleries.
“The creative infrastructure is largely provided by the private sector with little coordination and mapping and who may not meet the necessary needs and requirements of creative artists,” says KIPPRA in the report.
The report further reveals that creatives in industries such as book publishing, fashion, and visual arts face hurdles in accessing raw materials and tools, compounded by high production costs.
Additionally, performing arts and the film industry remain constrained by the absence of an archiving policy to preserve and promote their work.
“Performing arts and film industries would benefit from an archiving policy, which is yet to be developed,” reads the report.
KIPPRA senior policy analyst Ann Gitonga says there is a need to provide efficient licensing, appropriate creative infrastructure, and enhanced access to appropriate and affordable financial services to promote creative and cultural industries.
Other policy gaps include lack of a national language policy or a policy for the promotion of cultural festivals.
There are, however, several draft policies that may offer appropriate policy interventions but were not yet operational at the time of undertaking this study.
These include the draft Film Policy, the draft Music Policy, and the draft Creative Economy Policy.
“On the legislative front, there are draft laws aimed at addressing some legislative gaps. These are the Culture Bill, Heritage and Museums Bill, and the Kenya National Library Service Bill,” KIPPRA noted.
There are, however, several draft policies that may offer appropriate policy interventions but were not yet operational at the time of undertaking this study.
These include the draft Film Policy, the draft Music Policy, and the draft Creative Economy Policy. On the legislative front, there are draft laws aimed at addressing some legislative gaps.
These are the Culture Bill, Heritage and Museums Bill, and the Kenya National Library Service Bill. As the country grapples with unemployment, the government has been pushing for the growth of high-potential sectors that can provide jobs for the youth.
The creative economy has been identified as one of the fastest-growing sectors not only as a source of employment but also as an enabler of national innovation and national cohesion.
As of 2023, the Kenya National
Bureau of Statistics said that arts,
entertainment, and recreation activities accounted for 0.2 per cent of
GDP in 2021 and 0.25 per cent of total
wage employment, with publishing,
broadcasting, other information technologies, and information activities
accounting for 0.7 per cent of GDP and
4.7 per cent of total wage employment
during the same period.