admin_county March 28, 2018

Nakuru County to empower local artists

County Government of Nakuru will start hiring local artists to perform in its events in a bid to empower local youths and promote talent.

The CEC for Youth, Gender, Culture, Sports and Social Welfare Ms Halima Gababa said the move will build the county’s economy through ‘buy Nakuru, build Nakuru’ concept.

The CEC said the youth miss opportunities to be engaged by the County Government mainly because they are not registered.

Ms Gababa was speaking when she officially opened a temporary visual art workshop at the former Provincial headquarters premises where artists have been allowed to paint and exhibit their work.

“My office in collaboration with other ministries is working to have a permanent workshop and gallery where the youth can carry out their work to earn a living,” said the CEC.

She said her department will help artists come together to share ideas and experiences and also educate them in forming youth groups to  apply for government tenders.

While addressing artists drawn from the Sumbi Crafts, Jawabu and a number of solo artists, the CEC said the County would push for local youths to showcase their work in exhibitions within and outside the county.

County Cultural Activities Coordinator Ms Dorcas Ondege said the initiative was timely as her directorate was reaching out to all visual artists in the County.

“Cohesion is boosted when the artists from diverse cultures come together,” Ms Ondege noted.

The Njoro-based Sumbi Crafts founder Mr Shadrack Musyoki said their work will help showcase and market Nakuru County to the outside world as their main clients are foreign tourists.