Kenya to host Recording Academy headquarters after winning Grammy bid
Head of Presidential Special Projects and the Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi has said that Kenya has secured a deal to host a regional base for the Recording Academy, the body behind the Grammy Awards, positioning the country as a gateway for the awards’ expansion into Africa.
Speaking during a live interview on Wednesday night, April 8, 2026, Itumbi attributed the move to President William Ruto’s administration, saying the initiative was actively pursued rather than passively awaited.
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“The Grammy Awards are another product of this President; he did not just sit and wait for the Grammy Awards to come,” Itumbi said.
He revealed that initial discussions took place during a studio tour hosted by Tyler Perry.
Additionally, Itumbi noted that the Recording Academy President, Panos Panay, engaged representatives from four African countries, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Kenya, over the possibility of establishing a presence on the continent.
“We met the president during Taylor Perry’s studio tour, and Panos, who is the president of the Recording Academy, approached four countries in Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Kenya,” he added.
According to Itumbi, Kenya emerged successful after meeting the required financial commitment.
“The other three countries, none of them paid,only us paid, and therefore we won the bid,” Itumbi stated.
Recording Academy’s hub in Kenya
He noted that plans are underway to establish the headquarters at either Konza Technopolis or Talanta Sports City Stadium, depending on the final decision.
Itumbi added that once the Recording Academy sets up its base in Kenya, the next phase will be the introduction of an African version of the Grammy Awards.
“We said the Recording Academy will set up its headquarters at Konza City or Talanta Stadium, depending on what they choose for us to be able to grow the quality of our music,” Itumbi said.
“After the recording Academy has set up in Kenya its headquarters, the next thing will be to host an African Grammys.
Asia has Grammys, the US has Grammys. They have done an Asian Grammys thing, they are looking for the African market, 4 countries offered.”
Grammys bid payment
Speaking on the payment of the bid, Itumbi confirmed the government had met the financial requirement after Cleophas Malala, who was on the same interview, directly asked whether the reported Ksh500 million had been paid.
“Did you pay the Ksh 500million?” Malala asked.
“Yes, we did,” Itumbi answered.
He further disclosed that the President of the Recording Academy is expected to visit Kenya before June.
“The President of the Recording Academy and Grammy Awards will be here before June, and we will settle this question once and for all,” he added.
