Head of Presidential Special Projects Dennis Itumbi has addressed the controversy surrounding the Ksh500 million paid to the Recording Academy, which owns the rights to the Grammy Awards.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, April 17, Itumbi explained that the amount was part of a bid to host the Recording Academy's African headquarters.
He noted that the money would be returned if Kenya lost the bid to other countries that were also lobbied, including South Africa and Nigeria.
“There was no donation made by the Kenyan government to the Grammy Awards. On the Grammy Awards, the Kenya government, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa lobbied. Grammys had an idea to set up in Africa and Kenya, like all the other 4 countries, bid to host the Recording Academy in Kenya, and part of the bid is to pay Ksh500 million.
"On February 27 and 28, there were delegations to the Los Angeles office of the Recording Academy. If we lose the bid, of course, the money is returned,” he said.
Read More
At the same time, Itumbi defended the government’s investment in the creative industry amid public scrutiny over the prioritization of international projects while local communities continue to grapple with basic challenges.
“I know people have told me, why are we investing in Grammys instead of people in Baringo who have no schools? Yet in this very place, they will ask what we are doing for the creative economy.
"One of the reasons why Kenyan music has problems getting on Spotify is the quality of the production. We have good studios, but we are yet to reach global standards that are acceptable for people to make money,” he added.
Speaking during a town hall meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024, President William Ruto disclosed that the government had paid Ksh500 million to host the Grammy Awards in Kenya.
"We have already paid the Ksh500 million. This is not something we are planning to do; it’s already done. 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," he said.
Earlier, in December 2023, Ruto had announced that the Grammy Awards would begin shooting multiple movies in the country.
Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, he said Hollywood's innovation studio agreed to partner with Kenya to elevate talents.
"This administration has also taken deliberate steps to build and invest in the creative economy. First, the famous Grammy Awards have a partnership with us, and starting January, the innovation studios of Hollywood have agreed to begin shooting multiple movies right here in Kenya," he said.
