Bondo: The French government is set to enhance Kenya's creative economy by supporting the Siaya Community Digital Hub, as revealed by French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet. The initiative aligns with France's commitment to fostering ICT hubs across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ambassador Suquet, during his visit to the hub in Bondo, emphasized Kenya's vibrant creative industry and expressed France's willingness to support its growth, enabling talented individuals to earn livelihoods. The Siaya Community Digital Hub has been pivotal in training youth on digital skills, such as Artificial Intelligence, with 200 creatives recently graduating in filmmaking.
Ambassador Suquet, accompanied by Fikirini Jacobs, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, highlighted the historic ties between France and the Luo Nyanza region. This relationship has led to the reopening of Kisumu's Alliance Fran§aise to facilitate French language learning. The French Embassy in Kenya is also backing a local girls' school in Siaya County to teach French, with plans to extend support to additional schools due to high demand.
PS Fikirini Jacobs shared that the Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy has crafted a Creative Economy Bill to guide the management, regulation, and monetization of the creative industry. This bill aims to attract funding and catalyze industry growth and will be presented to youth and industry stakeholders to ensure it meets their needs.
Fikirini emphasized the importance of stakeholder involvement in the legislative process, stating, "We have already crafted the Creative Economy Bill and we are awaiting stakeholder engagement to come up with a stakeholder 'owned' bill." He noted his commitment to involving stakeholders from the outset, enhancing the bill's acceptability.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, the founder of the Siaya Community Digital Hub, shared that the hub's concept was inspired by a visit to an Indian hub 15 years ago. Unlike the urban-based Indian hub, the Siaya hub was established in a rural setting to provide digital skills training and online job opportunities to rural youth. A new branch in Gem constituency is set to open later this month, extending benefits to youth in the northern part of Siaya County.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Siaya County Speaker George Okode and Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor.