By Eddah Waithaka
The government cemented its push to position Kenya as Africa’s creative powerhouse on Wednesday, graduating a new cohort of filmmakers and announcing sweeping reforms to energize the entire sector.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, presided over the Kenya Film School (KFS) graduation ceremony in Kasarani, declaring the event a “defining moment” for the nation’s cultural economy.
Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs Katoi Kahindi, also addressed the graduands, marking the milestone as critical for Kenya’s creative resurgence.
“Talent opens the door, but discipline, collaboration, and integrity keep it open,” PS Kahindi stated, urging the graduates to carry the nation’s hopes as they enter a sector “full of promise.”
A School Built for Authentic Kenyan Stories
The leaders outlined the school’s mission to equip young Kenyans, regardless of academic background, to tell authentic local stories.
As the first government-owned film talent institution in East and Central Africa, KFS employs a practical-heavy curriculum 70% hands-on training in cinematography, editing, sound, and scriptwriting.
The institution has already forged major partnerships with industry players like Netflix, Canon, and the Kenya Film Commission. Its students have produced award-winning films recognized at the Kalasha International Film Festival and Riverwood Awards.
CS Mvurya announced a pivotal development: the Creative Economy Bill, currently before the National Assembly.
He described the proposed law as a “transformative step” to replace a fragmented system with a coherent national policy.
PS Kahindi confirmed the bill is at an advanced stage, aimed at establishing a better operational framework for the industry.
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The proposed legislation pledges to actively protect creators by strengthening intellectual property rights and streamlining royalty collection, unlock crucial financing through grants, concessional loans, and public-private partnerships, promote local content by incentivizing broadcasters and platforms to prioritize Kenyan narratives, and build essential infrastructure by establishing creative hubs and digital innovation centres nationwide.
Government Doubles Down on Youth Support
Both officials reaffirmed the state’s commitment. PS Kahindi detailed concrete programmes including expanding film training, strengthening youth empowerment centres as innovation hubs, increasing funding avenues, and facilitating local and international partnerships.
This aligns with the massive NYOTA program a KSh 20 billion project targeting 110,000 youth for business grants and 90,000 for skills mentorship, which the school directly supports through its “Certification of Prior Learning” model.
A Charge to Shape the National Narrative
The leaders issued a powerful charge to the new graduates, emphasizing their role as custodians of Kenya’s global image.“Your stories will influence how Kenya is seen,” CS Mvurya said.
“We cannot have one clip showing Kenya burning and another inviting tourists. Project the true diversity and resourcefulness of our nation.”PS Kahindi echoed this, stating, “The stories of Kenya your stories, deserve to be boldly told, beautifully and authentically.”
He highlighted the graduates’ critical role in helping meet the 60% local content demand for national broadcasters.
The government also plans to construct a modern, state-of-the-art KFS campus with world-class studios and theatres, further signaling its commitment to making Kenya a continental creative leader.
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