President William Ruto has said approximately 10% of government funds spent on adverts will go to content creators.
Speaking during the YouTube Black Voices conference at State House, Ruto said that the percentage will amount to Kshs30 billion.
“I have told the Ministry of ICT, the PS is here, that of the Sh300 billion we spend every year on advertising, 10% at least should go to local content creators,” he said.
President Ruto asked content creators to be smart so that the government could use their accounts.
“And I’m talking about Sh30 billion. So mjipange. Get ready, think big, think smart and please get yourselves to work so that even the government can advertise on the space you occupy because this is the future of work,” he said.
He added that that was the government’s way of supporting and appreciating creativity of local content creators.
He also urged the ministry to work with content creators, noting that the five-point plan of the Kenya Kwanza government relies heavily on digital space.
The head of state pointed out that the government was intentional in including digital superhighway and creative economy in its five points which include agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) economy, housing and settlement, healthcare and environment and climate change.
According to him, the government is seeking to digitalise its services and the programme will be launched by the end of June. The number of digitalized services currently stand at 5,000.
“We believe that around the digital platforms, you guys will have an opportunity with your digital expertise being content creators to help us advertise on that platform,” Ruto said.
The President also accepted the plea from content creators to slow down on the 15% tax plan, but he insisted that they make a lot of money from their work. He also said that the government is investing heavily in the digital sector because it is the future of work and therefore a place for the government to generate revenue.
“But you guys are making money. But anyway tutaongea. We are willing to relax some of the issues but you know we are making huge investments in this space,” Ruto said.
The President added that the government is pursuing several avenues that will make it easier for content creators to do their work.