Kisumu County has stepped-up efforts to position itself as a regional creative hub following the launch of a professional recording studio at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre in a move that also underscores deepening cultural ties with France.
Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o said the facility reflects a growing partnership between Kenya and France that places culture and creativity at the heart of development.
The launch, attended by a French delegation led by Ambassador Arnaud Suquet, also highlighted the presence of Alliance Française at the Centre, reinforcing cultural exchange through language and the arts.
“We are here to consecrate an idea deeply founded in the enduring partnership between the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of France,” said Nyong’o.
“Culture is not peripheral to development, but central to it. Creativity is the basis upon which social transformation and economic progress are rooted,” he added.
The Governor said the Mama Grace Onyango Professional Recording Studio marks a significant step in empowering youth through access to modern creative technology.
“This marks a transition from analogue potential to digital possibility, from raw talent to refined production,” he said.
He added that the facility will enable young people to tell their stories, shape narratives and actively participate in the global creative economy.
Nyong’o also traced the history of the Centre, originally established in 1959 as the Kisumu Social Hall, noting that its restoration in 2020 signaled the county’s commitment to preserving community spaces while promoting inclusion and cultural expression.
He said the presence of Alliance Française within the facility continues to play a critical role in strengthening cultural exchange.
“Through language, art and cultural exchange, this institution continues to broaden horizons and deepen mutual understanding, particularly among our youth,” he said, adding that access to the French language remains key to enhancing bilateral relations.
The governor thanked the French government for its support and called for greater inclusion of Kisumu’s youth in continental platforms, including the Africa-France Summit set to be held in Nairobi in 2026.
Ambassador Suquet said the reopening of Alliance Française in Kisumu was the result of a three-year collaboration with the county government.
“The Governor approached me and expressed the need to reopen Alliance Française in Kisumu. We walked the journey together and, three years later, it is now fully operational, offering young people an opportunity to learn French,” he said.
He added that the partnership has since expanded to the creative sector through collaboration with the Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre.
“We have also partnered with the Centre, an innovative artistic institution, to nurture talent in Kisumu County and the wider Nyanza region,” said Suquet.
He described the developments as a milestone, while noting that further collaboration is expected.
“Today, is a milestone, but it is not the end of the journey. We will continue working together to advance art and creativity, and to showcase the immense talent in Kisumu at the Africa-France Summit in 2026,” he said.
The new recording studio is expected to boost youth engagement in music production, storytelling and digital content creation, further strengthening Kisumu’s standing as an emerging creative and cultural hub.
By Dorothy Pamella
