Big win for the creative industry as it inches closer to official recognition
In a significant push to formalise and strengthen Kenya’s creative sector, the National Assembly (NA) has convened key stakeholders to review the landmark Creative Economy Support Bill.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the NA Department Committee on Sports and Culture chairperson, Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), said the move signals a renewed commitment to supporting the country’s vibrant creative industries, which have long operated on the margins.
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“The creative industry is a cornerstone of our economy and a source of livelihoods for millions of young Kenyans. We need this law. It will be vital for our country and for the young people whose lives depend on creativity,” Wanyama said.
The review session marks a critical step in the bill’s journey after it was approved by the Senate on August 7, 2025, clearing the way for the National Assembly to shape its final form.
Co-sponsored by Senator Eddy Oketch and Irene Mayaka, the bill aims to transform Kenya’s creative economy from an informal, underfunded sector into a coordinated, well-resourced pillar of national growth by establishing a Creative Industry Council.
“The Council, set to function as an apex body, will advise the government on creative economy policy, coordinate programmes and partnerships, protect creative works, and link practitioners to incentives, funding, and market opportunities,” the post read in part.
It will also be supported by an Advisory Board representing both government and creative community members, alongside a full-time secretariat housed within the responsible ministry.
Earlier, creatives had demanded government investment before any taxes were imposed on the industry.
The creative bill
One of the bill’s flagship provisions is the Roll of Creatives, a national register recognising practitioners as professionals.
Membership is voluntary, and successful applicants will gain access to a range of incentives, protections, and government programmes, with registration processed within 14 days.
Additionally, an online platform will centralise information on grants, training opportunities, and other resources to enhance accessibility for creatives across all 47 counties.
The bill also outlines a comprehensive package of support mechanisms, including subsidies and tax incentives, a credit guarantee scheme to unlock financing, special opportunities for creatives living with disabilities, strong intellectual property protections, and enhanced support for research, training, and capacity building.
A highlight is the proposed Creatives Fund, designed to issue grants and financial support to practitioners and institutions, with operational regulations to be developed within 90 days of enactment.
As a publicly funded initiative, the Bill qualifies as a Money Bill under Article 114 of the Constitution, placing Parliament at the center of determining its final financial framework.
If enacted, the bill could reshape the country’s creative space, ensuring that artists, innovators, and performers have the institutional support, funding, and legal protections they need to thrive while contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.
