Kwale County Government has commissioned a state of the art audio-visual recording studio in Matuga Sub County.
The Sh14 million facility aims to promote talents and also create a source of livelihood among the youth. Besides, the studio will preserve the different cultural aspects of the coastal people.
Addressing the press during the commissioning of the facility, Governor Salim Mvurya assured the youth that his administration is committed to empowering them.
Mvurya asked the youth to make use of government projects such as the audio-visual recording facility to acquire skills that would transform their lives.
”Our vision is to create a well-equipped society and these projects are here to help youth find employment opportunities. I want to see youths engaging in meaningful projects to change their lives,” Mvurya said.
He said the launch marks an impactful transition from private owned only studios in Kenya to Government Institutional run studios enabling more youth access affordable quality productions.
“It would be an avenue for local artists to bring out their creative side and a boost to their talent development,” he said.
The state of the art audio-visual recording facility hosts a photo studio, modern recording studio, editing suite, and video production studio.
The facility is well equipped with a variety of modern equipment such as bass boosted speakers and Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) video cameras among others.
Mvurya said the facility offers a breakthrough in nurturing growth of talents of the local people. “This is the only modern studio in the coastal region and we hope many artists from the region will have an opportunity to record their songs. We have many unexpressed talents and this studio will revitalize the industry,” Mvurya said.
The studio is expected to equally serve the residents of Kwale among its 20 wards through the talents search project that was initiated by the devolved unit.
In 2021, Kwale County was crowned the champions of the 94th National Music and Cultural Competitions held in Mama Ngina Waterfront Ground in Mombasa County.
The Coastal County garnered a total of 253 marks followed closely by Kakamega County with 247 marks. Kwale emerged top in 56 categories, second in 34 categories and third in 17 categories.
The County presented over 130 cultural groups composed of traditional dancers’, artists, craftsmen, and women that contested for the County Cultural Auditions held in Matuga Sub- County.
In 2019, the county emerged second after scooping 40 trophies in different categories of music, poetry, dance, and art in the National Music and Cultural Competitions held in Siaya County.
The Director of the Deep-Sea International Band, Salim Chapu, said the studio is a breakthrough in the music industry.
Deep-Sea International Band is a three-time winner of the national music and cultural competitions.
By Mchera Juma and Hussein Abdullahi
