The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to establish a film ecosystem that convenes all stakeholders tasked with revitalizing growth of the sector.

• Creative Economy Support Bill, 2024:  legislation advanced to the National Assembly in early 2026 after passing through the Senate establishes a formal framework for a “Creatives Fund,” credit-guarantee schemes, and dedicated institutional support for film and television.
• National Film Policy: The government has updated the Draft National Film Policy to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks, promote co-production agreements and establish a market structure that protects both national and international investments.
• Films and Stage Plays Regulations 2024: New regulations were gazetted to prescribe procedures for film distribution and exhibition, including the identification of “distributors and exhibitors” to classify films on behalf of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB). 
  The government has introduced several policy, legislative, and institutional reforms . The focus has been on harmonizing regulations, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders;
• Creative Economy Roundtable: In July 2025, the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) hosted a high-level dialogue at Two Rivers, Nairobi, bringing together over 100 stakeholders from across the investment, policy, and creative landscapes to shape a shared vision for the sector.
• Institutional Collaboration: The KFC has deepened strategic partnerships with bodies like the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to align the film and media sectors, particularly ahead of major industry events like the Kalasha International Film & TV Market 2026.
• International Partnerships: The government is working with the European Union and GIZ to expand co-production opportunities in the audio-visual industry, with the first joint projects scheduled to roll out in March 2026.
• Budgetary Support: In the 2025/2026 budget, the government more than doubled support for the Kenya Film Commission, allocating KSh 166.5 million to catalyze industry growth, though some stakeholders have noted delays in the actual disbursement of these funds.
• In the 2026 Kalasha Awards held in May 2026, the president pledged KES 1 billion to support the film and TV industry and the creative space in general, which, if disbursed and properly utilized, may raise stakeholder collaboration.

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to establish a green channel immigration scheme and protocol service for international film makers.

• While the Kenya Kwanza Government introduced new classes of work permits in 2024, none of the existing or new work permit classes specifically cater to international filmmakers.
• The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) now acts as a centralized bridge for international crews, coordinating directly with the Department of Immigration to facilitate Special Passes (Work Permits) for foreign talent.
• While a dedicated filmmaker visa is not yet in place, the January 2024 transition to the eTA system has effectively created a faster “green channel” for entry, allowing international professionals to apply for travel authorization online through the eCitizen platform with a standard two-day processing window.
• To simplify production logistics, the government has streamlined import guidelines for filming equipment. Foreign crews can now bring in equipment on a temporary basis without a cash deposit or security bond, provided they use an accredited film agent.
• The KFCB Regulators’ Handbook released in February 2025, serves as the formal protocol guide, detailing all visa and work permit requirements to ensure international professionals adhere to Kenyan law while experiencing minimal delays. 

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to Mandate the film fund to facilitate access to modern equipment and entire film production infrastructure available for local film makers on a hire and lease basis.

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to pass the Creative Economy Bill that will enable the establishment of a Film Fund.

• Parliament is in the process of enacting the Creative Economy Support Bill, 2024, which establishes a “Creatives Fund” from which persons in the creative industry can access grants based on a criteria to be established through regulations once the Bill is enacted. The Bill is currently being considered by the National Assembly after being passed by Senate in August 2025.

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to develop a Government Powered Arts and Crafts Industry Information Portal to help in listing different players in the Industry and market their products.

• The Kenya Kwanza Government reiterated its commitment to the establishment of the arts and crafts industry portal in the 2025 Budget Policy Statement, wherein it committed to develop a Government-powered arts and crafts industry information portal to promote the development of creative and film industry.
• The government continues to fulfill  its promise through the development and integration of several digital platforms, most notably the Sanaa App and the Talanta Hela portal. These tools are designed to list industry players, facilitate marketing, and eliminate barriers for artisans.
• To market products globally, the government is leveraging its embassies abroad to display and promote Kenyan arts and crafts, integrating the creative economy into its broader economic diplomacy strategy.
• The Info-Trade Kenya portal, managed by KenTrade, provides artisans with step-by-step export procedures for commercial crafts, simplifying the process of reaching global buyers.
• The Department of Culture has moved its services to the eCitizen platform, enabling practitioners to register cultural groups and access government support services digitally.

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to mainstream the creative economy into Brand Kenya and commercial diplomacy, including appointing accomplished Kenyan artistes and creative sector personalities as cultural ambassadors.

• Various athletes, prize winners and artists have been appointed as ambassadors for Magical Kenya, and to promote Kenyan heritage internationally.

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to work with stakeholders to identify the incentives, capacity building and other support required from the State to scale up cultural production and the creative economy.

• The Kenya Kwanza Government has taken steps aimed at scaling up the creative economy, for example, through the Creative Economy Support Bill, 2024 which proposes the establishment of a “Creatives Fund”  from which persons in the creative industry can access grants.
• Additionally, the US-Kenya Creative Economy Forum was held to highlight discussions on the untapped investment opportunities within Kenya’s creative economy.