Candidates for the run-off local elections in Siliana are carrying on their campaign until midnight on Friday, before the electoral silence. Candidate Nizar Atiri for South Makther, who secured 330 votes in the first round, pledged to work for upgrading infrastructure, increasing support to farmers, developing the industrial zone and establishing a museum in the region. Hamdi Ben Rebiha, running in the same constituency with 318 votes in the first round, presented a programme aimed to upgrade infrastructure and sports facilities, refurbish schools and build a local hospital. Candidate Mohamed Kamel Arfaoui, running in North Bourouis, undertook develop public institutions, bring administrative services closer to citizens, set up a sanitation network and boost the industrial sector. Bourouis local council is made up of six constituencies, three of which are in the running for the run-off. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse The State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy is in the final stages of conducting public participation for the draft Creative Economy Policy and the Creative Industries Bill,2023. Wang'ondu Chege,a legal officer at the State Department said stakeholder engagements for the draft policy and bill across the country will be concluded on Friday (today). 'After the public participation, a team will sit down and incorporate views from the public. It will then be taken to the cabinet for approval and later forwarded to the parliament,' said Wang'ondu. He said the bill proposes the establishment of creative hubs to facilitate innovation, research, and development in the industry. The hubs to be located in strategic locations across the country will offer essential resources, tools, and equipment required to help creatives produce their work. 'The creative hubs will also offer training, mentorship, and capacity-building programmes for the creatives,' added the legal officer. Speaking today at Mach akos University during a stakeholder forum, Wangondu also noted that the bill seeks to enhance access to funding and financing of creatives through investments, sponsorship, and grants. If passed into law, the national treasury will create a Creative Industries Development Fund to support the promotion and growth of the sector. 'The national treasury may also issue bonds to raise capital for the industry,' added Wang'ondu. The bill further seeks to establish one-stop creative services centers that will provide essential regulatory services to those in the industry. On registration of creative organisations,the bill proposes to create a creative industries registrar to register and administer those organisations. Speaking at the forum, Maskonde Harun the Chairperson Investment Committee of the Kenya Cultural Association of Artists lauded the government for drafting a bill saying the industry, despite the vital role it plays in the country has been neglected for a long time. Maskonde expressed optimism th at if adopted the bill will bring sanity in the industry and open more opportunities for creatives. 'The bill has given us hopes that the industry will be well regulated to ensure that creatives pay,' he said. On the establishment of the creative fund, Maskonde asked the government to ensure that access to the money is not riddled with bottlenecks as witnessed in other government funds. 'We hope the process to the financing of the creatives will be a simple process that will not deny deserving beneficiaries a chance to get funding,' he said. Source: Kenya News Agency
