Sh100m shot in the arm for arts industry

Cultural troupes show their attire at the Kenya National Theatre during the Official Launch of the Refurbishment of the Kenya National Theatre on December 9, 2013.   Photo/ANTHONY NJAGI

In Summary

• The national theatre is set to benefit from a Sh100 million deal between the government and Kenya Breweries in an effort to boost arts in the country.
• The theatre has not been renovated for 60 years. As a result, up-and-coming performers have had to part with huge booking fees to cater for maintenance costs.
• The National Bank, Safaricom Foundation and Coca-Cola also committed funds to support other legacy projects in celebrating Kenya@50.

By Ramenya Gibendi
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The national theatre is set to benefit from a Sh100 million deal between the government and Kenya Breweries in an effort to boost arts in the country.

The theatre is one of the landmark facilities that were earmarked for renovation in celebrations to mark 50 years of Kenya’s independence.

“The cost of maintaining the Kenya National Theatre has been a challenge. It is with this realisation that we accepted the request to undertake this refurbishment so that the institution can regain its standing,” said Kenya Breweries Ltd (KBL) managing director Joe Muganda.

The deal was crafted late last year as part of the government’s initiative to engage the private sector in refurbishing eight legacy projects in Kenya.

Mr Muganda said refurbishment of the arts centre is aimed at improving the standards of stage production and drama performance.

Under the public-private partnership, the government through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts invited KBL to help in sprucing up the institution following years of neglect that have seen the centre lose its glow and competitiveness

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HUGE BOOKING FEES

The theatre has not been renovated for 60 years. As a result, up-and-coming performers have had to part with huge booking fees to cater for maintenance costs.

The punitive charges have seen them exit the scene — leaving the centre to corporate clienteles.

The 62-year-old structure is part of the Kenya Cultural Centre that is mandated to offer space for rehearsal and staging of productions for both local and international performers.

Rundown toilets and broken lighting system have over the years seen theatre enthusiasts scout for alternative venues.

But with KBL coming on board, the youth now have a greater opportunity to nurture their talent in drama and the performing arts.

“For the country’s premier venue for drama, which has over the past six decades served generations of budding talent and accomplished artists, the face-lift was both timely and long overdue,” said Sports, Culture and Arts cabinet secretary Hassan Wario when inking the agreement.

The process, commissioned by President Kenyatta on December 9, is also a partial fulfilment of his promise last April to construct an ultra-modern theatre and film studio.

The National Bank, Safaricom Foundation and Coca-Cola also committed funds to support other legacy projects in celebrating Kenya@50.

These partnerships were to supplement the celebration’s budget of Sh500 million.

Safaricom Foundation is rehabilitating and equipping the new born unit at Kenyatta National Hospital as well as Mathari Hospital.

The foundation has set aside Sh100 million for the work, scheduled to be complete by December 2014.

Coca-Cola contributed Sh104 million to the Sh6 billion Uwezo Fund.