CS Mucheru urges youth to embrace ICT for financial gain

Information and Communication (ICT) Cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru has urged Mombasa youths to take advantage of the internet and other online platforms to promote their artistic talents for financial empowerment.

Mucheru said in Mombasa that the internet and its encompassing technology like You Tube, provides a worldwide advertising platform for arts and other talents and which well utilized help the youths earn money.

"It's time youths in arts and technology tap into the digital technology to generate money," said Mucheru.

Mucheru who worked with Google (an American Multinational technology company specializing in internet related services and products) as a manager before his appointment as cabinet secretary asked the youths to create music, plays and other artistic content that will enable them earn from the internet.

He gave example of Gangnam Style video uploaded on You Tube which at one time had its creators earning 430,000 USD ( KSh 43 million) per week.

Gangnam style video, which pokes fun at the style of Seoul's Gangnam-gu, a flashy district with high rents, high expectations and a focus on the high-status lifestyle uploaded on You Tube in July 2012 has so far 2.5 billion views and is ranked the most watched video of all time.

"The access to internet provides an opportunity for creative artists to display their talents and make money. If people love an entertainment and have interest in it, then there also lies an opportunity to make money," said Mucheru.

Mucheru was speaking during an inspection tour of Swahili Pot, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) protected site near Fort Jesus set to be connected to a free wi fi where youth talent groups and tourists will be able to access unlimited internet for free.

The project will provide a platform for convergence of Arts, Technology and Culture and help youths to nurture their artistic and tech talents by using the internet.

The project set to be officially launched in two months is collaboration between National Museums of Kenya (NMK), SEACOM Kenya and local academic institutions.

Mucheru asked local start up groups to take advantage of the free internet to innovate and come up innovations.

NMK Director-General Mzalendo Kibunjia said plans were underway to connect 350 gazetted sites across the country to the free internet.

“We want to extend the connection to 350 sites in the country in quest to make Kenyan Youths tech savvy," said Kibunjia.