Nyeri: Nyeri County has opened an online application portal for young people interested in pursuing a career in the creative arts. The initiative, dubbed Nyeri Youth Talent Search, has been organised by the Department of Trade, Cooperatives, Culture, and Tourism and is open to applicants from the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, individuals must showcase their talents during the interview to qualify for the capacity-building training programme, which is supported by the County government, Kenya Film Commission, and the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. Women and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. To register, applicants must log onto the department’s online application platform and provide personal details, including the area of interest. The application deadline is February 8, 2025.
Trade, Cooperative, Culture, and Tourism Chief Officer George Mwangi stated that the areas of interest include photography, filmmaking, graphic design, animation, music, and photography. Mwangi emphasized the County’s aim to harness the varied talents of young people planning to enter the creative industry as a means to create alternative income avenues and showcase Kenyan talents both locally and internationally.
‘This will be our fifth year as a county organizing a talent search for young people with a passion in creative arts. Last year we trained 100 youths in a similar programme with the Kenya Film Commission, and we hope to do the same this year. Once trained, artists will receive certificates to seek openings where they can showcase their talents for pay,’ Mwangi told KNA. The training period will last between two weeks to a month, depending on budgetary allocation.
In his second State of the County address on December 4 last year, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga outlined plans to transform the county into a preferred cultural and tourism destination. Kahiga mentioned that the county is working on a long-term goal of establishing a Mau Mau Museum and is awaiting land allocation from the National Land Commission.
The County collaborates with other stakeholders, including the Kenya Film Classification Commission, to promote tourism in the county known for Mount Kenya and Aberdare game reserves. ‘As a county, we are committed to conserving our fauna and flora by developing tourism sites, goods, and services and connecting them to local and Regional Tourism Circuits. Through our partnerships, we have signed an MOU with the Kenya Film Commission to position Nyeri as a prime filming destination,’ Kahiga stated.