Siaya county government will work closely with the rising artists to help them nurture and grow their potential, area governor, Cornel Rasanga has said.
Rasanga said that though Siaya county has a huge potential in the field of arts, the same was yet to be exploited hence his government’s decision to help the locals develop their skills and earn a living from them.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by the county executive committee member for enterprise development, Benard Mboha during the launch of this year’s Siaya Talent Search held at Randago Music Orchard in Siaya.
The governor called on the youth to venture into art, adding that the sector has, over the years, proved to be a great source of employment.
“The youth need to venture into this industry that has been confirmed to be a great source of youth employment,” he said adding that his government, through the department of tourism, culture, sports, ICT and arts will help to identify and nurture hidden talents.
As a show of commitment to developing arts talents, the governor said that his government was putting up a multi million shilling modern stadium that will also have an amphitheatre to enable artists have a facility to perform.
The Siaya county executive committee member for Tourism, Culture, Sports, ICT and Arts, Charles Ogada said that the Talent search was open to all residents irrespective of age.
Ogada said that the top ten artists from each of the county’s sub counties will undergo a week long training, courtesy of the county government during which they will be coached by top artists and experts.
After the week long training, the artists will perform in the finals, where three top finalists will be rewarded and exposed to various networks that promote arts.
The event brand ambassador, Iddi Achieng challenged the local youth to take music and arts seriously as a source of income.
Achieng, a reknowned musician further called on the talented youth not to ignore education, adding that the two should go together.
“The days when artists were considered academic dwarfs are gone; we have to pursue education while at the same time exploiting our talents,” she said.
The event was also addressed by the County Secretary, John Ogutu and county executive committee member for education, Mary Omondi among others.
By Philip Onyango
