Fredrick Odiero
The newly refurbished Kisumu social centre which has now been renamed Mama Grace Onyango social centre is once again expected to be the melting pot of arts, culture and recreation.
The centre used to host a number of recreational activities including art exhibitions, public speaking, drama and many others.
Its relaunch was graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in a ceremony where Kisumu Governor, Prof Peter Anyang Nyongo was the host.
The centre has for many years been used as a recreational facility where many prominent personalities such as Chinua Achebe,Okot p’Bitek and many others have delivered public lectures before.
Many activities like drama, music and many others have in the past been staged there.
Mohamed said that counties should ensure that such facilities are refurbished so that youths can utilize them.
The CS called on counties to ensure that artistic talent is nurtured at the grassroots level.
She lauded Nyongo for giving women great recognition via the facility.
Mohamed said the national government will ensure that idle land is used for putting up arts and cultural centres for youths. She said Nyongo had been working closely with the national government in supporting such activities.
The CS pointed out that the Jomo Kenyatta international stadium and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga recreational centre are some of the projects being undertaken by the national government in Kisumu.
On his part, Nyongo said that many prominent personalities have in the past come to the social centre. He said some of them include Prof Bethwel Ogot and Okot p’Bitek who inspired many people. Nyongo said such facilities will be refurbished in other sub counties, noting that Kaloleni social centre will be one of them.
He said an arts and incubating centre nearby will give the facility a major boost. Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo proposed that counties should set aside budgets for such facilities. He said that will go a long way in boosting arts in various counties.
Kisumu County Commissioner Josephine Ouko said she used to attend public lectures at the hall. “My father took me there when Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was hosted there many years ago.” She advised young people to take advantage of the hall and nurture their talent.
Earlier, during a panel discussion the Vihiga Governor said that arts should be a unifying factor globally. He said more youths can interact across the globe while engaging in cultural exchanges.
Ottichilo said counties can learn a lot from the Kisumu case.
Also present were Nyeri deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, her Kisumu counterpart Mathew Owili and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda. Mama Grace Onyango who was present was the first woman Mayor and MP and also the first female deputy speaker of the national assembly.
Nyong’o said Kisumu residents should brace themselves for the Activities conference on November next year.He said the event will host over 10,000 guests, noting that it will present an opportune business opportunity for local people
Centre manager Obat Aketch Masira has already invited famous literary icon Professor Austin Bukenya to come and deliver a public lecture there.
Explaining the evolution of the centre, Masira said the colonial government created the African Social hall to provide recreational amenities to the Africans living in Kisumu.
He said the foundation stone was laid on the 3rd, July 1957, by Mr. Stanley Everet Esq, then, the chair to the municipal Board of Kisumu and the African Affairs Committee.
Masira said the new centre opened its gates to the public on the 30th, April 1960, adding it was a moment of splendour.
He says the event was graced by H.C Sir Patrick Renison, the Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya.
Masira says the colonial regime founded the African Social Hall as a Centre for character training for young people, a recreational Centre to keep away the youth from mischief.
“It was also an innovative Centre for healthy exercise habits and, lastly, a Centre for the promotion of social and cultural activities,” he says.
Masira said Kisumu Social Centre, achieved its stardom in the field of performing Arts, Public Education as well as public intellectual discourse. It also examines why this great towering cultural monumentwas associated with great African scholars.
Masira says that top figures such as Edward Massengo, Jean Bosco and Pascal Onema came to the centre.He said the duo hailed from Congo and were very popular in theEast African region.
“The duo took Kisumu by storm. Then, the dancers had a dress code,” he said.
Masira said the advisory committee consisted of Mr James Miruka Owuor, the first African Town Clerk, Prof. Okot p’Bitek of the University of Nairobi (Extra Mural College), Mr Abdul E Dahya, the Deputy Mayor of Kisumu Town and Bishop Henry Okullu.
“The Centre also accommodated eminent Kenyan scholars like Prof. David Wasawo, the first African Professor in Kenya. Prof. B.A Ogot, a renowned African Historian, Prof Ali Mazrui, Prof. Simeon Ominde, Prof. Okoth Ogendo, Prof. Atieno Odhiambo and Prof Obwaka,” he said.
He said Prof. Okot p’Bitek introduced creative performing arts in Kisumu town at the Kisumu Social Centre. “He literally transformed Kisumu Social Centre to be a towering monument for not only literary expressions, but also for artistic and cultural growth through the advisory committee that worked closely with the Director, Mr. Ezra Gumbe,” said Masira.
