By Obat Masira
It is an honour and a historic occasion as we celebrate, for the first time in Kisumu, the French National Day—Bastille Day.
This evening is far more than a national celebration of France. It is a celebration of friendship, shared values, and the enduring belief that culture has the power to unite people across borders. It brings together two nations that recognise creativity not simply as entertainment, but as a force for education, innovation, peace, and sustainable development.
The story
The story of Bastille Day reminds us that history is shaped by courage, vision, and the determination to build a better future. The ideals born from that defining moment—liberty, equality, and fraternity—continue to inspire societies across the world because they speak to humanity’s common aspirations.
Those ideals find expression here in Kisumu through a different but equally powerful revolution: the revolution of arts and culture. Every song, every painting, every performance, and every story has the power to preserve identity, inspire hope, and strengthen communities.
The hall
There could be no more fitting venue for this inaugural celebration than the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre. Few institutions have contributed as profoundly to the cultural life of Western Kenya. Established in 1959 as the African Social Hall, it evolved into Victoria Social Hall and later the Kisumu Social Centre, while remaining true to its founding purpose—to provide a home where creativity, innovation, and talent could flourish.
Cradle
Over the decades, this centre became the cradle of artistic excellence. It nurtured the growth of Benga music, hosted influential literary discussions involving distinguished African writers such as Professor Okot p’Bitek, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, David Rubadiri, Ali Mazrui, and Taban Lo Liyong, and helped establish Kisumu as one of Africa’s leading cultural centres.
These contributions played an important role in the city’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, demonstrating that investment in culture creates lasting social and economic value.
Tonight, we celebrate not only this remarkable history but also the extraordinary journey that has transformed this centre into a vibrant institution with growing international recognition. It is a story of visionary leadership, committed partnerships, and a shared belief that when a society invests in its artists, it invests in its future.
Part II – A Renaissance of Culture and Partnership
History gives an institution its identity, but vision gives it its future. While we rightly celebrate the remarkable legacy of this centre, we must equally celebrate the extraordinary transformation it has undergone in recent years.
Since 2020, the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre has experienced a renaissance that has restored its place as one of Kenya’s foremost centres of artistic excellence. What was once remembered primarily for its glorious past has become a vibrant creative institution that is shaping the future of arts and culture in Kisumu and beyond.
This transformation did not happen by chance. It was inspired by visionary leadership, sustained through strategic partnerships, and made possible by individuals who understood that investing in culture is investing in people.
Tribute
I therefore pay special tribute to His Excellency Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, whose unwavering commitment to the creative economy has breathed new life into this historic iconic institution. His decision to reposition the centre as a dynamic space for artistic expression has demonstrated that culture is not a luxury to be enjoyed after development; it is an essential pillar of development itself.
His support, together with the encouragement of the First Lady of Kisumu County, who is also the centre’s Patron, has enabled this centre to flourish as a home where creativity, innovation, and talent continue to thrive.
We equally acknowledge the invaluable stewardship of Professor Humphrey Oborah and the Board of Management, whose dedication, strategic guidance, and belief in excellence have transformed ambition into achievement.
Their leadership, together with the tireless commitment of the resident artists, instructors, and staff, has created an environment where young people are not merely discovering their talents but developing them into professions.
Events
Today, the centre proudly hosts schools of Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Film, Dance, and Modelling, providing opportunities that are enriching lives while strengthening Kisumu’s creative economy.
The centre’s achievements have already earned international recognition. In 2024, it successfully brought the Fifth World of Blacks and Africans Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) to Kisumu in collaboration with Misango Arts Ensemble, bringing one of Africa’s most significant cultural gatherings to Kisumu. It has established the Mama Grace Onyango Live Rhumba and Benga Bands, supported by professional music equipment that is nurturing the next generation of musicians. Later this year, it will proudly host the Twenty-Fourth Biennial World Talent Federation Conference, reaffirming Kisumu’s growing reputation as an international centre for culture and creativity.
Partnership
This remarkable progress has been greatly strengthened by the enduring partnership between the centre and the Embassy of France in Kenya.
Your Excellency Ambassador Arnaud Suquet, your support has extended far beyond diplomatic courtesy. Through your leadership, the Alliance Française has established a vibrant presence at the centre, promoting language, education, and intercultural understanding.
Studio
The establishment of the Mama Grace Onyango Professional Recording Studio has given our artists access to world-class production facilities, while the professional stage lighting that we proudly launch reflects your belief that Kenyan artists deserve international standards upon which to showcase their talents.
Your Excellency, these contributions are more than investments in infrastructure. They are investments in human potential. They have nurtured creativity, inspired confidence, and created opportunities for countless young artists whose talents will continue to enrich Kenya and the world.
On behalf of the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre, and on behalf of the people of Kisumu, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Government and people of France. Your partnership has strengthened not only this institution but also the enduring friendship between our two nations. It is a partnership we deeply value and one we hope will continue to flourish for generations to come.
The friendship between Kenya and France has demonstrated how cultural cooperation can transform institutions, empower young people, and strengthen international understanding.
Your Excellency the Ambassador, we respectfully propose the establishment of the Mama Grace Onyango–France International Cultural and Educational Exchange Programme, creating opportunities for artists, students, educators, and cultural practitioners to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and perform in each other’s countries.
Such a programme would deepen cultural understanding, strengthen creative industries, and position Kisumu as a gateway for international artistic collaboration. Together, we can organise joint festivals, artist residencies, technical training, performances in France and Kenya, and programmes that further enhance Kisumu’s standing as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
Your Excellency Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, kindly allow me to make one respectful appeal. The remarkable progress of this centre has demonstrated that it has grown into an institution of national and international significance.
Autonomy
To realise its full potential, we respectfully request your consideration in granting the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre semi-autonomous status, or establishing it as a Cultural Parastatal.
Such a step would enable the centre to compete for international grants, strengthen global partnerships, attract investment, and operate with the flexibility required of a modern cultural institution.
As Kisumu prepares to host the Twenty-Fourth Biennial World Talent Federation Conference, this is an opportunity to elevate the centre to the international standards its achievements already deserve.
By investing in this institution today, we will not simply strengthen one centre—we will strengthen Kisumu’s position as one of Africa’s leading capitals of creativity, innovation, and cultural diplomacy.
Bridge
As we conclude this historic international celebration, let us remember that Bastille Day is ultimately a celebration of hope—the belief that societies flourish when they uphold human dignity, embrace opportunity, and invest in the limitless potential of their people.
Those ideals resonate just as powerfully here in Kisumu as they do in France. This evening, we have celebrated the remarkable journey of the Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre—from its beginnings as the African Social Hall to its emergence as a vibrant institution of artistic excellence and international recognition.
The writer is the CEO/Manager of Mama Grace Onyango Cultural and Social Centre.
