It’s a sigh of relief and possibly the best news for photographers and videographers in Kenya who have for the longest time pleaded with the government to allow them to use drones.
Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Joe Mucheru seems to have heard the cry of the creative industry after he announced that the the government would now license the use of drones in the film industry.
CS Mucheru on Monday announced the Ministry’s decision saying that the move is part of government’s collaboration with development partners to increase investment in the industry. He however asked film makers who plan to shoot videos using drones to apply for clearance by the ministry adding that flying drones is regulated by the government.
Mr. Mucheru added that the government was working closely with the private sector to kick-start a film-making venture supported by ICT. He asked the private sector to take the lead adding that there was huge demand for local content across Africa.
“Let us not use lack of policy as a reason to delay. Lawmakers will catch up with you,” he said adding that M-pesa also began without a policy and is now one of the inventions with great success.
Speaking during a Film Industry Stakeholders’ meeting in Nairobi, CS Mucheru also said that the government plans to develop infrastructure to grow the creative film industry through construction of creative and performing art theatres and film studios across the country.
According to CS Mucheru, licensing film makers to use drones will not only encourage investment in the creative industry but also create employment. He further promised creatives that the government will streamline the industry and ensure expeditious processing and issuance of licences saying that the creative economy has huge potential to generate wealth.
China recently opened its film market to Kenya and is now willing to work with local film makers to produce creative works that will be screened in China. The CS also said that international film makers were interested in shooting films at the equator featuring people and culture of the continent.
On very many occasions have photographers and film makers been harassed by police and kanjo officers over using drones or even taking photos and videos especially in the Central Business District. The creative economy can only hope that the government will make it easy for them to obtain these licenses promised by the Ministry of ICT that will give them creative freedom.
Are you a creative or do you know a photographer/videographer who has been arrested for using a drone?