Interior CS nominee Kipchumba Murkomen has disclosed that Kenya paid USD2,500,000 (approximately Ksh324 million) to host an African Grammy Awards centre in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, December 19, Murkomen noted that the Ministry of Sports and Creative Economy signed an agreement with Grammy Global Ventures (GGV) on September 25, 2023, and committed to establishing the centre in Kenya.
The outgoing Sports CS explained that Kenya has met all the financial obligations and paid the final instalment in December 2024.
"The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports and the Grammy Global Ventures (GGV) signed an agreement on 25th September 2023 in which the two parties committed to collaborate in the establishment of the Africa Academy headquarters or a centre in Kenya.
"We have met all our financial obligations as stated in the agreement by making the 4th and final instalment of the net fee of USD 2,500,000 this month. As it stands, we are in pole position to host the Academy," Murkomen remarked.
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He added that the country is ready to host the centre at the Konza Technopolis and financing agreements on the construction of the facility have been signed.
"We are ready to host the Africa Academy or its centre in Kenya once it is confirmed. The project can be hosted in our 160-acre Digital Media City at the Konza Technopolis which we have already signed financing agreements with the Republic of Korea for the construction of the anchor building and site infrastructure. The development is at the design stage," Murkomen explained.
The Interior CS nominee noted that for the African Grammy Awards Centre to be realized, at least 2 founding members have to pay an equal fee of USD2,500,000.
He added that Rwanda, Nigeria, and South Africa also signed MoUs and agreements for consideration in implementing the Africa Academy as founder members.
The outgoing Sports CS maintained that by Kenya hosting the facility, local music creators will stand a chance to benefit from the centre's technological resources, brand and networks.
"The Grammy Global Ventures is the international arm of the Recording Academy, the company that presents the Grammy Awards. By hosting the Africa Academy or Center in Kenya, our music creators stand to benefit from the Recording Academy's technological resources, brand, networks, and expertise to create original music content that will showcase our cultural heritage to a broader audience," Murkomen stated.
He added, "Numerous benefits will accrue to our local economy in terms of job creation, increased business activity, and development of music production infrastructure. More importantly, our artists will earn more from the global exposure of their work."
