Rescinding the ban on matatu graffiti will unleash creativity

I have no idea if this story is true, but it is an interesting one anyway.

Apparently, Nyengese the famous street artist and entertainer, like so many young people, moved to the city in search of greener pastures.

At some point, some ne’er do well went home and told Nyengese’s mother that her son was making a spectacle of himself in the city by swinging his bottom on the streets.

Of course his poor mother in a village setting was outraged and set off to the city to ‘talk’ to her errant son.

READ:Uhuru limits planned ban on 14-seater matatus

On arrival at the street corner where Nyengese was based, like a typical African mother, she called her son and when they were seated at the street corner drinking soda, addressed her concerns. 

"I understand you make money by shaking your bottom to the public? It is un-African and very embarrassing and humiliating when friends and relatives from the village come and see you and bring reports back home."

Nyengese excused himself and asked his mother to watch what would happen as he donned on his street attire and began his performance.

An hour later he had a substantial amount of money which he gave to his mother and said, “Mother this money pays the bills and puts ugali on the table”. “Shake it till you break it, if that is what you must do” were the last words of his mother, before she returned to the village with a large smile on her face.

CREATIVE INDUSTRY

I was reminded of this story when I watched a clip on the news reporting that President Kenyatta now supports graffiti art on matatus. I admired this particular matatu culture and it was unfortunate it had to be killed along with the Michuki Rules.

Matatus were a sight to behold, and they seemed to change every so often, with newer, more exciting art each time. It is a shame that Kenya lost its place as the home of matatu graffiti.

To be clear, the rainbow of painted vehicles was the least of the matatu industry’s problems. It was one of the creative parts of the industry that should not have been abolished.

JOBLESS YOUNG PEOPLE

You see, Kenyans need to accept that jobs will not be created while government pours money into youth funds, or with formal employment, but rather when the nation makes it possible for all to make a living with their talent.

I have no doubt that many young people were left jobless when the clamp fell on matatu graffiti. Was there anything so wrong with it to warrant loss of income for a number to urban youth?

As already stated Kenya, was already a recognised and envied trendsetter in this area. With graffiti, the government did not need to train anyone how to earn their living, since the creative juices were already in high gear.

All forms of art, ranging from street theatre to graffiti, can be a source of livelihood for creative types. In many cities in the world there is a bohemian district where the creative economy operates from.

TALENTED FACE-PAINTERS

Given that Kenya does not have such a district, our matatu graffiti and street theatre are the closest we have come to allowing the spontaneous growth of a useful part of our economy.

There are also all these face-painters found in all manner of places that children frequent, except schools of course.

Some are quite amateurish but I have seen some really creative designs themed on things that children like, such as cartoon characters and nature.

These creative people are not only making a useful contribution to the entertainment business, but also contributing to the economy. I can only give a thumbs-up to those working in Kenya’s art industry.

Twitter: @muthonithangwa