CS Amina Mohammed Explains How Government’s Sh100 Million Will be Paid to Artistes

By Omondi Otieno

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Sports and Culture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amb Amina Mohammed on Monday officially launched the Sh100 Million stimulus package for artists, actors, and musicians at the Kenya National Theatre.

Speaking during the launch, CS Amina noted that the Sh100 million stimulus package for artistes will run for a period of three months (May-July 2020), and will be spearheaded by various state agencies and sports organizations.

She divulged that no cash handouts will be given to artistes, adding that for any artiste to benefit from the money, he/she needs to produce content that educates, entertains and informs Kenyans and the entire world on the safety, and health guidelines required to stop COVID-19.

“Taking into account that the number of artistes in the country is estimated to be way above 100,000, giving cash handouts would have been ineffective in cushioning households as well as broadening the societal Covid-19 safety education,” she said.

This therefore means that the Ministry will adopt a Work for Pay model, where you only get paid after producing content aimed at educating the masses on COVID-19.

The content produced will then be aired on various platforms created by the Ministry including; Kulture TV.

CS Amina noted that the model is efficient as it will create continuity in the creative industry sector, and ensure that it remains stable even after COVID-19.

In a series of tweets after the launch, she directed all state officers involved in the project to maintain high level of integrity, and urged the media to give fair coverage to local content produced during this time.

“I direct HoDs and Agencies involved in implementing this programme to guarantee & uphold due diligence. To also ensure that there is gender equity and artists from across the 47 counties are represented; 30% of whom will be vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities,” She said.

“As the beneficiaries of this programme play their part in managing #COVID19 ,I wish to appeal to the media fraternity to support the local creative economy by implementing the 60% local content quota to further this initiative & keep our artists in business even after #COVID19,” she added.