Baraza Media Lab reposted this
✈️Air & Space Law (Advanced LL.M.) Candidate Leiden University | specialising in Air & Space Law | Legal Officer Kenya Airports Authority | Collaborative Leader and Strategic Visionary
After a hiatus, I rekindled my creative flame while supporting friends Sandra Kimokoti and George Gachara. We gathered at an inspiring SemaBOX Africa and Baraza Media Lab event held on 3rd June 2024, moderated by the indomitable Mark Masai, to dissect the impact of the Finance Bill 2024/25 on Kenya's burgeoning creative and digital economy. And, fun fact: JULIANI KENYA taught me that I could be termed a "hobbyist" – an on-and-off creative with other pursuits. Kenya's digital and creative sectors are buzzing with potential. Our vibrant youth, rich cultural heritage (42 communities, 42 unique offerings! ), and increasing connectivity drive this growth. However, to truly flourish, our creative industry needs supportive fiscal policies that prioritise the private sector and SMEs. Here are my key takeaways: A trailblazer who played a part in having Kenyan content on Netflix, Fridah Karuri emphasised that thriving in the creative economy requires aligning policy and institutional frameworks. On a satirical note which was a perfect ice breaker to get conversation going on the serious topic at hand, Blessed Njugush likened our creative journey to a resilient cow trying to nurture its calf, underscoring the challenges posed by the finance bill on youth creatives in the digital space. JULIANI KENYA urged creatives to leverage their personalities and collaborate with other professionals to understand their rights better and monetize their craft. He reminded us that creatives must actively participate in the change we wish to see, meeting the government halfway in crafting solutions. George Gachara delivered a masterclass, emphasising the importance of not leaving any value on the table. Sandra Kimokoti one of my longest-standing friends, whose journey has been nothing short of inspiring, stood tall amongst the other industry giants on the panel, providing key insights on sports and advocating for a national philosophy that embeds arts, sports and culture as a cornerstone for sustainability in the creative economy. Reconnecting with June Injete, who is doing incredible work in driving social change in the creative sector, and Valentine Ziki, who taught me valuable lessons on art pricing at a Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH-funded seminar hosted by the Technical University of Kenya a while back, was great. Connecting with creatives and enthusiasts was equally rewarding. Catch the full conversation on SemaBoxTV (https://lnkd.in/ekfpB3jZ). #CreativeEconomy #KenyanCreatives #PolicyAlignment #Collaboration #Sustainability #CreativeTownHall Photo Cred: Marcus Olang'
Looking forward to a proper catchup :)