KTN Anchor Ali Manzu Appointed To Governor Nassir's 9-Member Taskforce

Mombasa Governor, Abdulswamad Nassir has appointed KTN Swahili anchor, Ali Manzu to chair a nine-member task force, mandated to advise on the development of the creative economy in the coastal county.

In a communique sent to newsrooms, Governor Nassir revealed that the committee will serve for a period of six months, a directive that took effect on December 20, 2024. It shall report to the county’s CEC for Youth, Sports, Gender and Cultural Activities.

"NOW THEREFORE, I, ABDULSWAMAD SHERRIF NASSIR, Governor of Mombasa County, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the County Governments Act, do hereby order and direct the following.

"That, a task force is hereby established to provide recommendations and advice on the Mombasa County Creative Economy. That, the Taskforce shall serve for a period of six (6) months with effect from 20th December 2024," the statement read in part.

Ali Manzu will be deputized by Caroline Ngorobi, with Esther Ingolo serving as the task force's secretary. Members joining the task force include Awadh Salim, Hellen Mwanzia, Kessi Juma, Michel Jerry, Daudi Anguka and Margaret Matunda.

The task force will: evaluate challenges facing the creative economy industry in the County and develop a comprehensive plan to transform the creative sector.

Furthermore, it will identify actionable roles and contributions for stakeholders, review the sustainability and viability of existing programs and develop a collaborative strategy for engagement with other stakeholders,

The task force will also review the County's marketing strategies, explore and expand monetization opportunities within the creative economy, develop an actionable implementation plan and perform any other tasks necessary to fulfil its mandate.

The creation of the task force underlines Governor Nassir's commitment to bolstering the creative industry in Mombasa, known as one of the country's prime tourist attractions. On September 8, 2023, he announced that the county government waived all fees associated with filming and photography.

The county boss held discussions with Mohammed Alby, a Kenyan TikTok star who went viral for his random compliments and pick-up lines that leave smiles on the faces of Kenyans walking along the streets, at his office.

The discussions between the two centred on how his administration could create a favourable atmosphere for content creators in the country to thrive in creating content that showcases Mombasa as a popular tourist destination.

To facilitate this environment, Nassir scrapped all fees associated with filming and photography, seemingly borrowing a leaf from his Nairobi counterpart, Johnson Sakaja, who directed that freelance photographers and filmmakers operating within Nairobi County be exempted from paying for their business permits.

"We are also in the final stages of promoting the Mombasa Quarterly Content Creator's Day whereby Mombasa’s creatives shall be facilitated with professional services for the day by the County Government," he further announced.

Nassir is leveraging on his previous experience as a media professional to give Mombasa-based content creators the power to flex their skills in a vibrant field which has since given Kenyans an avenue of making money.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir hosts TikTok content creator, Mohammed Alby, alias the 'King of Smiles' at his office on September 8, 2023. /ABDULSWAMAD NASSIR