Thespians and visual artists in Nakuru County have appealed to the government to include them in creating awareness and educating the masses on the dangers of the corona virus pandemic since their presentation skills are easily understood by the masses.
Speaking to KNA during an interview at Player’s theatre in Nakuru town on Wednesday, the Chairman of the thespians, Joseph Maina alias ‘Babushe’ said many of their members were struggling financially and yet their skills were required more than ever due to the fast-spreading of the pandemic.
Maina said a number of vulnerable people including the teachers who teach in private instituttions have been given assistance while nobody seems to be remembering the artists and yet all the theatres are closed.
He said the Nakuru town Players’ Theatre supports 80 to 100 actors who are currently, just staying at home and a number of them were struggling to pay rent and feed themselves.
However, he said due to their affection and devotion to art some of them have volunteered and created the Nature’s trail outside the Nakuru National Park and it has attracted many families who are tired of staying indoors. But they are not getting any income because it’s free.
Maina added that the ebullient and jovial nature of thespians in most cases gives society an erroneous and flawed impression that they don’t require any assistance and they also find it difficult to keep on crying ‘serikali saidia’.
He urged society to change their attitude towards art and accept it as a noble profession, which should be nurtured and supported by taxpayers.
By Veronica Bosibori
