Kenya has invited an international Movie Actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, to film his next movie project in the country to educate, motivate and encourage local film industries and as part of the efforts to promote local tourists’ attraction sites to an international audience.
Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, announced that Kakamega Forest, Kisumu and Homa Bay are some of the sites selected, where scenes for the movie will be filmed.
“Leonardo DiCaprio is coming to Kenya to shoot a big movie. We have selected places which we also want to see them grow, as tourist destinations,” he noted.
He said the engagement with the film actor is part of the government’s efforts to improve the creative sector in general which includes film, music, sports, and talents among others.
Speaking in Kakamega during the finals of Elijah Lidonde Football Tournament for the Under 15 girls and under 17 girls, CS Namwamba said the National Government will work with the Kakamega County Government to develop sports and the creative sector in general.
“We have agreed with Governor Barasa to complete the ongoing works of Phase II of upgrading Bukhungu Stadium. On completion of terraces the Stadium will have a sitting capacity of 30, 000 spectators,” he noted.
Once Phase II is completed, the CS announced that the National Government will take over to complete Phase three, which will include upgrading of facilities, ablution blocks, hospitality facilities and world standard changing rooms.
“And since Kenya is bidding to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations, I see games of Afcon being played at Bukhungu Stadium. We will also ensure when we have big events the Stadium gets an opportunity to host,” he noted.
He also noted that the government will work with the Foundation and Kakamega County for the countrywide President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up grassroots football tournament under the Talanta Hela programme.
“I am looking forward to using the model that Kakamega has already put in place to spread it across the country. For Kenya to rise to the high table of football, we have to go back to the basics which is youth football and grassroots football. If we grow these players effectively, the way the Elijah Lidonde Foundation has already started, then we will realise the dream of Kenya playing at the world cup in 2030,” he added.
Elijah Lidonde is among players who graced the country’s stadia and football scene among others like Fred Serenge, Nick Yahama and celebrities have come together to constitute a team called ‘The Legends’ to nurture talents.
“And indeed they are living legends of our game and I am convinced as the CS for Sports that for our football to grow we have to integrate these legends and their expertise in our programme to develop football in this country,” he noted.
Governor Fernandes Barasa, said the County Government will allocate more resources to develop talent among the youth.
The Elijah Lidonde Foundation championship started two months ago with 498 teams, comprising under 15 boys and girls, under 17 girls and boys. The games were played from the sub location level, location to ward level, sub county and finally at inter county championships.
By Moses Wekesa
