This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
Kenya's stage actors have breathed a sigh of relief after receiving payments from a Sh100 million presidential stimulus fund for Covid-19, dubbed Work for Pay.
According to the Kenya Cultural Centre, 64 artistes have been paid, with their work recorded in five regions, including Nairobi, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western, and parts of Central regions.
Executive Director Mike Pundo of the Kenya Cultural Centre stated, "We are pleased that the Kenya Cultural Centre has so far paid 64 artistes with recordings in five regions, including Nairobi, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western and parts of Central regions."
Artistes were paid approximately Sh10,000 each, covering different genres such as plays, poetry, spoken word, cultural creative dance, and percussion, radio theatre, narratives, and storytelling.
While there was room to write and perform stories other than those on Covid-19, nearly 95 percent of the items were on the prevention and management of the pandemic.
Producer Xavier Nato of Millaz Productions expressed gratitude, saying, "We are very happy we received our money promptly and had our works recorded. We thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government for this initiative."
The government implemented the project directly through state agencies, bypassing content management organisations that have been accused of swindling artistes.
Other agencies involved in the programme include the Kenya Film Commission, Department of Culture, National museums of Kenya, and the permanent Presidential Music Commission.
Published on July 13, 2020
