KFCB Rolls-Out Literacy Program to Empower Creatives in Arts and Film 

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has assured creative of its commitment to ensuring a facilitative regulatory environment that will spur the growth of the film sector for job opportunities and wealth creation.

While addressing creatives during a Stakeholder’s Engagement Forum dubbed: Creatives in Arts and Film Literacy (CAFIL) Program for creatives drawn from Kisumu Region and its environs at the Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu County, on 16th September 2024, the KFCB’s Ag. Chief Manager, Corporate Services, Ms. Nelly Muluka, said that the KFCB is keen on supporting initiatives geared towards empowering creatives.

Themed: #UsaniiSafe4All, the KFCB’s CAFIL Program, which will also be rolled out to other regions, seeks to empower creatives in Arts and Film to create content that upholds Kenya's cultural values while safeguarding children from exposure to inappropriate audio-visual content.

“As the Government agency mandated to regulate the creation, distribution, possession, broadcasting, and exhibition of film and broadcast content in Kenya, our focus is to provide a support regulatory environment for creatives to showcase and monetize their creativity,” Ms. Muluka stated.
While refuting claims that KFCB is out to stifle creativity, Ms. Muluka pointed out that the KFCB operates within the confines of the Films and Stage Plays Act, cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya, and that the Board is focused on creating a facilitative environment for the film sector to thrive.

The Ag. Chief Manager, Corporate Services, indicated that the Government recognizes the Creative Economy as a key pillar for job creation, stressing that the #UsaniiSafe4All is significant as it resonates with the Government’s resolve to grow the creative space through talent development and monetization.
She reiterated the KFCB’s commitment to supporting initiatives that are meant to empower and mentor local creatives for job opportunities and wealth creation in line with the Fifth Pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Talanta Hela Initiative.
As part of ensuring a facilitative regulatory environment to spur the growth of the film industry, the KFCB has proposed the review of various regulatory frameworks that once ratified will make obtaining licenses easier for filmmakers, as well as promote the ‘ease of doing business for the industry stakeholders. 

The Kisumu Region stakeholders comprising creatives were sensitized about the KFCB’s regulatory mandate (Film Registration, Classification, Licensing, and Compliance), as stipulated in Cap, 222, as well as other programs and campaigns spearheaded by the Board. Further, they were sensitized on the role of other regulatory bodies within the creative space and the need for creatives to comply with the same as they showcase their creativity. 
 
Speaking at the forum, Ms. Beatrice Odongo, CEC Member for the Department of Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs, Kisumu County lauded KFCB for initiating the CAFIL Program which she said was timely in creating awareness on the regulations governing the creative industry. 
The CAFIL program which targets stakeholders in the creative industry will be implemented in Nakuru, Embu, and Mombasa, before being rolled out to other regions in Kenya.