Are you a writer? Join the Kenya Writers’ Guild

The digital migration of 2013/2014 initiated by the Kenyan government through the Communications Commission of Kenya has created the potential for a huge demand for local (Kenyan) film and television content. This inevitably means that there will be demand for content creators.

A script is the basis of any audiovisual work. As the demand for scriptwriters grow, there is a danger of substandard work being created. The Kenya Writers Guild was formed in May 2014 and will cater for the royalty, rights management and welfare of original Kenyan audio-visual works produced by writers i.e. Screenwriters, Radio playwrights and Theater playwrights.

Kenyan writers on television, film, theater and recently, the web, have been working independently of each other for several years. This has been a disadvantage to the development of the entertainment industry since writers producing audiovisual works do not have an organization that caters to their professional need.

The officials of Kenya Writers Guild were appointed by current members in July and include:
o Chairperson – Keith Kinambuga
o Vice Chairperson – Njoki Muhoho
o Secretary – Wangeci Kanyeki
o Assistant Secretary – Jackline Emali
o Treasurer – Felix Ndolo
o Assistant Treasurer – Joseph Gitau aka Tash Mitambo

Writing workshops have been ongoing thanks to a partnership with Ubuni School of Media and Creative Arts and have included a writing for episodic TV as well as a directing workshop. These are usually paid workshops with a discount for members. There will be an open forum on 16th August 2014 (10am-1pm) with two of Kenya’s most accomplished screenwriters, Cajetan Boy and Reuben Odanga on improving scriptwriting in Kenya.

Writers who would like to join the guild or have any inquiries, are requested to send an email to kenyascriptwriters@gmail.com. The guild is also on facebook as well as twitter.