This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
On Thursday, May 21, 2020, ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs CS Joe Mucheru emphasized the importance of embracing technology to propel the country towards industrialization during the launch of the DEKUT-Kenya Film Commission Film Hub at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DEKUT) in Nyeri County.
Speaking at Freedom Hall, Mucheru stated, “we must create jobs for our young people and opportunities to showcase all of the things they are capable of doing.”
The film hub, a joint venture between DEKUT, the Kenya Film Commission, and other partners, aims to tap into the youth's talents in the film industry, which is transforming the world through creative innovations.
With the Covid-19 pandemic curtailing travel, Mucheru noted that tourists can now experience the country's beauty through the film sector, and the launch of the hub would be a significant assistance in this regard.
He added that the facility would enable the youth to develop programs and animations, with DEKUT being one of the two institutions in the country with film hubs, the other being Konza city.
CS Mucheru also highlighted the facility's potential in education, stating, “we are able to see that you can use machines in different places and control them remotely to develop products and that is the way we want to go in the fourth industrial revolution.”
He further emphasized the government's intention to expand the program beyond the two institutions, aiming to get other universities and institutions to have animations and film production, and augmented realities to create jobs and inform the country better.
However, the electronic factory project at the university has faced delays due to the pandemic, as experts from overseas cannot travel, but the project remains in progress.
Speaking during the occasion, DEKUT vice chancellor Prof. Ndirangu Kioni outlined the university's role in sourcing financiers and partners to purchase products from the film hub.
Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga also emphasized the county government's commitment to working jointly with the national government to boost development in the region for the benefit of the residents.
