The government has rolled out plans to support poets to monetize their content, Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba has said.
He averred that poetic work will be recognized as part of creative arts to open up opportunities for thousands of poets across the country to earn from their content.
His ministry, he said, is in the process of formulating policies to support the creative art form through the Talanta Hela Initiative.
Speaking in Kisumu during the East Africa Poetic Hour Battle 2024 edition, the CS said the policies will support the identification, monitoring and nurturing of talent in poetry for sustainable livelihoods.
“We want when you are here entertaining people and enjoying yourselves you also make a living out of it,” he said. “For those creatives who are making this an area of speciality, I want to assure you that my ministry which is in charge of creative arts is your home.”
Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o said poetry plays a critical role in documenting the history and life of a people and must be supported for posterity.
“Poetry is a granary of the history and life of the people. They do this in short verses but within one verse you learn a lot,” he said.
The poetic battle organized by Talent Industry brought together poets from East Africa to showcase their talent and assert the role of poetry in shaping the society.
Talent Industry Managing Director (MD) Godfrey Emoja said the theme of the battle ‘Online Misinformation’ is in line with the current trends following the liberalization of airwaves and penetration of the internet.
“The recognition of poetry as a form of employment is something we have all been praying for and finally it is happening,” he added.
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By Fredrick Odiero
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