By Tony Wafula, Bungoma
The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has urged local artists in Bungoma County to observe financial discipline and long term planning to avoid struggling in future after exiting the industry.
Speaking at a Copyright training session that brought together over 300 local artists in Bungoma, the Kenya Copyright Board, deputy director training and research Sharon Watta emphasized the importance of investing in an industry where fortune is unpredictable.
Watta said that most artists earn a lot of money through their art but due to lack of financial literacy they end in poverty after leaving lavishly.
“This training is very important as it helps in equipping our artists with the vital knowledge of investing in the art through monetization of their work,” she said.
Further, she highlighted the increasing copyright infringement cases with the evolving of the media platforms where people use other artists’ work without their knowledge and get paid.
“One of our mandates is to ensure that our artists own and earn from art, we are there to receive all complaints from those whose work has been infringed, and sometimes arrests are done and culprits presented before court,” she said.
The deputy director encouraged artists to register with the Kenya Copyright Board to ensure they own copyright to their works and avoid being exploited.
“Before an artist comes up with content it means that he/she has invested resources and time therefore let us all register for the Copyright so that we can manage our art,” she noted.
Ms. Watta revealed that the board has intensified copyright training across all the 47 counties aiming to protect creative works and ensure artists earn from their talent.
“With structured support from the ministry the creative sector could thrive and significantly contribute to the economy,” she added.
David Barasa, a local artist from Bungoma, lauded the board for its efforts to train artists on financial literacy adding that many artists die poor.
In addition, Barasa urged the government to provide more support including more funding and legislative backing.
The former MCA challenged the Parliamentary Committee on Youth, Culture, Creative Economy and sport to develop supportive bills to strengthen the industry.
“We want the chairperson of the Parliamentary committee to come up with bills to support our industry,” Barasa stated.
He also asked the board to fast track the development of their offices in every region to ensure artists’ voices are heard and well represented.
