President Ruto says the awards will boost Kenya’s creative economy
Mapaballo Borotho
The East African country of Kenya has invested $3.9 million to host the first-ever African Grammy Awards in its capital city, Nairobi.
The announcement was confirmed by President William Ruto, who said the move is part of a broader plan to position Kenya as a continental leader in the creative and entertainment industries.
According to Ruto, the government intends to use the event as a springboard for the country’s cultural sector, with plans to build world-class music studios, nurture homegrown talent, and increase the visibility of African artists on the global stage.
“By hosting the Grammys, Kenya seeks to showcase its vibrant cultural scene and strengthen its creative economy,” Ruto said.
However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some celebrated the milestone, many Kenyans criticised the government’s spending priorities amid challenges in healthcare, education, and youth unemployment.
One frustrated social media user wrote:
“To find out Kenya is struggling with its health care and education sector but poor leaders prefer to spend taxpayers’ money on nonsense! Africa is in the hands of bad leadership 😡.”
Others questioned whether Kenya has the music industry depth to sustain such a platform.
“Nigerians, South Africa, and Ghana are the only African countries supposed to do this because they have the talent to keep the force going. You can pay to bring attention to your country, but do you have what it takes to maintain it? Leaders should rather invest in schools, hospitals, and empowering the youth,” another critic commented.
Despite the backlash, supporters argue the event could put Kenya on the map as a creative hub and unlock opportunities for African artists across the continent.
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