The PS, State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs, was this morning hosted by Msenangu FM to discuss the government’s interventions in growing the creative economy and create sustainable opportunities for young people across the country.
The PS affirmed that the creative economy is one of the world’s fastest-growing billion-dollar industries, and that it holds huge potential for job creation, particularly among the youth. To support this growth, a new system has been deployed to improve the collection and distribution of royalties, ensuring artists receive fair compensation. Under the new model, 70 percent of royalties go directly to artists, while 30 percent is allocated to the KECOBO office for administration and regulation.
PS Fikirini further revealed that the Public Service Commission has approved a new staff establishment structure for the State Department that has introduced the Creative Economy Division which is meant to accelerate the growth of the creative sector. This new division along with other cadres in Youth Development will strengthen the State department’s capacity in delivering on its mandate and in advancing the youth agenda with greater efficiency.
To improve access to services, the PS confirmed that the government is rolling out regional offices aimed at supporting young creatives at the grassroots level. Efforts are also underway to engage Meta to develop clear guidelines that will help Kenyan content creators monetize their work on digital platforms, addressing long standing regional imbalances in global earnings.