Ruto to push for Nairobi to host the African Grammy Awards

Speaking during the 97th Kenya Music Festival State Concert at Sagana in Nyeri on Saturday, the president disclosed that next month he would travel to the United States to engage with the Recording Academy, the organizers of the Grammy Awards, to advance discussions on establishing world-class recording studios in Kenya.

He noted that this would set in motion the journey towards eventually hosting an African edition of the Grammys in Nairobi.

“Earlier this year, we hosted the inaugural US-Kenya Creative Economy Forum, a milestone whose impact will soon be felt across the industry," Ruto remarked.

"Next month, in the United States, I will meet with the Recording Academy, organizers of the Grammy Awards, to fast-track plans for establishing world-class studios here in Kenya and to set in motion the journey towards eventually hosting an African edition of the Grammys in Nairobi." 

The president acknowledged skepticism from critics but insisted that the government would achieve the desired outcome. 

“As usual, there are those who doubt, the cynics who question everything we do, but, as we have always done, we will answer them with tangible outcomes that benefit the people,” he noted. 

Further, Ruto revealed that the Grammy team had expressed interest in anchoring their presence within the new Talanta Stadium. He directed the Ministry of Youth and Creative Economy to expedite all pending steps to ensure the facility meets global standards.

“To this end, I am directing the Ministry of Youth and Creative Economy to expedite all outstanding steps to deliver a truly state-of-the-art creative experience for our artistes, producers, and innovators right here at home,” he added.

If successful, Nairobi would become the first African city to host a Grammy event, marking a major milestone for Kenya’s growing creative economy.

Kenya’s bid for the Grammys first made headlines last year when the head of state revealed that his administration had already paid Ksh.500 million to bid for Nairobi to host the Grammys. 

“We have already paid the Ksh.500 million. This is not something we are planning to do; it’s already done,” President Ruto said during a town hall meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to commemorate the Hustler Fund’s second anniversary.

“I’m confident that the gentleman here from the Grammys can confirm that we’re on the right track to securing Kenya’s position in this exciting initiative.”

His remarks drew criticism from the public, with many questioning the administration’s priorities at a time when the country is grappling with a high cost of living.

In response, the Head of Special Projects in the President’s office, Dennis Itumbi, clarified that the Kenya Kwanza government had not donated to the Recording Academy but was part of the bidding process.

He added that should Kenya not win the bid, the funds will be returned. 

“Part of the bid is to pay Ksh.500M and the bid has not yet been decided,” he said. “On February 27 and 28, there were delegations to Los Angeles office of the Recording Academy. If we lose the bid, of course, the money is returned," Itumbi said on JKLIve in April 2025.