Day: May 10, 2023

Local film makers can expect to pay up to 15 per cent less for their production and distribution licences if a review of the regulations guiding film classifications is successful. Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Christopher Wambua said the move to reduce the fees filmmakers and distributors pay is meant to encourage the local film industry to produce more content as a way of generating employment and creating wealth. It is also hoped that the reduction will result in cheaper locally produced content that local TV stations can then buy for airplay and reduce their dependence on foreign soaps. Mr Wambua, who spoke in Embu during a public participation forum on the new regulations said the reduction that is expected to come as a great relief to filmmakers and actors across the country is part of the efforts to create a conducive environment for growth of creative arts. Wambua revealed that among the changes to come is a provision for content creators and distributors to classify their own content without reference to the board, a move that has been necessitated by the huge volume of content created by producers. This, he said, will ease business by doing away with the time producers would have to wait for KFCB to review and classify their films. Currently, the law requires that all local and foreign films meant for exhibition in the country be classified by the board, a herculean task due to the high number of films presented. The reforms will also introduce a new classification grade, PG 13 to add to the GE, PG 10, PG16 and 18 currently used. To encourage higher film attendance, the board hopes to discount charges for exhibitors with more than one screen as a way of encouraging exhibitors to invest in more movie theaters. He added that they will also be reviewing the licensing model for ‘series’ producers so that they are charged per season rather than per episode, which currently makes it very expensive for young filmmaking companies. Sheikh Ramadhan Njuguna, who represented the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) at the forum challenged local film makers to use film to tackle social problems saying they concentrated too much on love and sex issues. He added that the government should give the filmmakers incentives to produce films that improve the well-being of Kenyans and fight social vices.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Baringo County coffee farmers had a reason to smile after they were issued with seedlings by World Best Friend, a non-governmental organisation from the Korean Republic at Baringo Cha coffee mill in Katimok Baringo North on Tuesday. The programme, worth a total of five million shillings, targets to provide around 500,000 coffee seedlings to be distributed to farmers across the region. Speaking during the launch and distribution exercise, Governor Benjamin Cheboi challenged the farmers to invest in the lucrative cash crop as an income-generating venture as a potential way to create sustainable wealth. Governor Cheboi noted that his administration is keen on bringing on board and working with donors for the sole purpose of promoting agriculture to transform the economy of the county especially during the tough economic period. ‘Our aim is to increase coffee revenue from Sh100 million to 3billion in the next 3-4 years and it will be upon you to plant more of the coffee today and in the future for the county to achieve the targets,’ he added. The county government has promised to market and export the coffee products for the farmers to the Koreans and other available markets abroad to enhance the growth of the national GDP. Rev Cha Boyong, the Chairman of World Best Friend, pointed out that the NGO had also commissioned a running mill two years ago and it’s upon the farmers to take up the challenge and embrace coffee farming as it will enable farmers to add value to their products. He urged the co-operative societies in the region to seize such opportunities to plant more coffee trees as they have an operational coffee mill to process the harvested berries ready for the overseas market.

Source: Kenya News Agency

There is an ongoing cold war between Councillors and some Elites of Baba 1, Ngoketundjia Division in the North West region. The people are still mourning the disappearance of their traditional ruler, but succession disputes have taken center stage.

HRM Fon Fuekemshi II gave up the ghost on May 2, 2023, but just days after his demise, a new Fon has been identified, the son of his last wife.

On May 8, 2023, CNA was reliably informed that 9-year-old, HRM, Fue Nghaper II of Baba 1, was chosen as the new traditional ruler to succeed his father.

“He was chosen in respect to Baba 1 tradition. There, it’s father to son directly and the boy chosen is the son of the late Fon. People are wondering why the boy was chosen whereas the Fon had boys of 35 years upward. That little boy was chosen because the mother lived with the Fon until his disappearance though being the last wife. The mothers of the older children left the palace already and they couldn’t choose someone whose mother is no longer in the palace.

Well, I know elites in Yaoundé chose the new Fon though in respect to Baba 1 tradition but if it happened that the council did not sit then that’s where the problem is,” a source who had knowledge of the situation said.

But those against the “catching” of a new traditional ruler said the process was very sudden and went against the tradition of the people of Baba 1. One of such people who enthroned the deceased Fon during his days is a former Divisional Officer, Moh Mbameley.

“There is a traditional procedure to choose a new Fon. Once the Fon goes missing, according to the Baba tradition, a period of “fever” is declared for two weeks at the Palace. This is meant to allow women and other people to carry out their duties, arrange things and prepare for a bigger announcement. After the two weeks, another two weeks period is declared, when the Fon’s disappearance is now officially announced,” he said in an interview.

According to Moh Mbameley, only important Kingmakers have the right to enthrone a new Fon but that was not the case which led to the announcement of a new traditional ruler.

“They are traditional King makers who inherit the title to enthrone the new Fon. They are not appointed. All of them were not present, the paramount ones were not around. Two or three took part. The main people did not take part.” He revealed.

The former administrator alleged that friends of the deceased ruler, singlehanded the process of “appointing “a new ruler.

“Friends of late Fon took it upon themselves and are now rushing to have him recognized.”

“The throne of Baba 1 has always been in court. Some of the palace Princes took the late Fon to court and it went on for a while. They said he exploited the people, and it wasn’t his right to sit on the throne. Before Fon’s death, the palace was divided into 4 parts so it’s really a difficult one in Baba 1 until someone brings them together which I think it’s already happening,” the source with knowledge on the event told CNA reporter in a chat.

Some comments claim that the choice for the young Fon is because Regents, who usually take charge of a village before the young ruler reaches acceptable age to rule, want to take control of the Palace affairs and dictate their laws.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Emmanuel Wembe has left many in Bafoussam astonished by his ability to transform a two-seat motorbike to a ten-place machine.

The man aged 35 said he had no choice, given the suffering he faced as well as the discomfort in carrying farmers to remote areas on a small bike.

“With these our bikes, we can go to areas where cars cannot reach. It is easier especially as the bikes can carry up to 10 persons,” Emmanuel Wembe told BTV.

“I once carried passengers to the farm and it was too stressful. I then thought of how to increase the length of the bike. I did it gradually. I did not just do it at once. It took me years,” he disclosed.

The business man said it started when he was unable to find a job.

“When there are no jobs, you have to think of something. You don’t have to wait for someone,” Wembe added. “It is due to suffering and lack of jobs that I had to do this.”

Users of his services have said they have no choice. “We are already used to it. It’s been over ten years now. God is the one taking care of us,” a woman who regularly carries her farm produce to and from town said.

Emmanuel Wembe encouraged Cameroonians to invest in their skills and reduce the importation of products which are often expensive. He encourages these group of persons to buy parts and do the assembling themselves to reduce costs.

Source: Cameroon News Agency