Above slogan is currently being used by the Kenyan government to promote its image amongst the masses. It means; ‘TO PROUD BEING KENYAN’. The context of the PR is to highlight the social-economic achievements under the new government after decades of mismanagement. Also following some blunders ‘Anglo-leasing’, the government want to counter much of the scepticism on whether these achievements have tickled down to the masses?
Thought should share this www.vioja.com/media%20sh.html (EABC) great authentic and undisputed talent from our Kenyan musicians. Undoubtfully, these guys shows with strong statutory framework the music industry just like the football and cinema industry's, are presently sleeping giants awaiting exploitation and have the potential to generate massive wealth and employment for the majority of the Kenyan youth population. Comparatively, the American music industry is worth billions of dollars similar to the British football worth billions annually both directly and indirectly employing many of the youth population. Despite such comparisons being extreme, they are justifiable since many Kenyan youths aspire to be as successful as those based in these countries plus we can a lot from such success.
Unlike our athletics where we stand, shoulder to shoulder with the world greatest, albeit constrained by lack of statutory backing and poor infrastructures, these three industries remain neglected leaving many youths aping the western culture despite their potentiality aided by the diversity of our tribes and ready-made consumer market. In the Diaspora, many are yearning for authentic stuff from home after realising that east or west home has the best. Interestingly, I have noticed that MTV are keen on the African market with programs such as ‘MTV uncensored Africa’ showing on SKY TV.
Way forward.
1 The African ambassadors should lead in promoting the music, cinema and football abroad.
2 Strong statutory framework should be put in place.
3 Educational or academy centres should be in place to identify and mould those with such talents, the three industries should not just be taken as extra curriculum activities.
4 The media should jealously play a vanguard role in promoting these three industries.
5 Incentives such as taxes, copyrighting such talents must be enhanced
6 Above would enable parents/peers to take the industry much more seriously.
4 comments:
I think Kenyans are proud to be Kenyan across different age groups, however, majority of the youth, who are the future of tomorrow always aspire to blend into the western culture. I think the Govt needs to do alot of work to try and promote our culture, implement some sort of program to incolve the youth in trying to identify what key messages can be presented in adverts etc showing how 'cool' it is to be kenyan. In athletics, we are actually lossing our best athletes because we cant compete with the lucrative deals being offered. Kenya has alot to do but the focus need to be on the youth. I think we rank very high in education, unfortunately though some of the top schools are private and I would say alot more foreigners than the local mwanainhi benefit due to the high fees structure. its a long shot but we can do it.
The campaign has more to do with NARC than Kenya. Its just like Nyayo's peace, love and unity.
Ssem-Agreed. I have a big issue with empty slogans that are at times meaningless. U tell peps to jununua kuwa wakenya while you are stealing or in dan's case-hiyo ni maendeleo while he was sponsoring Goldenberg and other pilfering schemes.
On the music front and culture generally, we'll not get this right until we really focus on what it means to be a Kenyan.
Jackie-agrees with you on this and think the government can do so much yet are doing so little. at least the dual-citizenship route which some of the athletes have complained of hindering them is being talked about. with the school thing, as the middle class continue to grow, more kenyans will start benefiting knowing how hungry many are for the best in education.
Ssemb, Mainat-its sad that a few elites hold so many kenyans into ransom whilst continuing to perpetuate all sort of evils and the vicious circle never seem to come to an end.
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