Former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has hailed the transformative role of art and music in empowering young people and strengthening communities.
Speaking during the Ghetto Classics Charity Golf Tournament at Migaa Golf Club in Kiambu County, she celebrated the programme's 18-year journey of impacting lives through music education, mentorship, scholarships, and social support for more than 1,500 young people across Kenya.
Margaret called on stakeholders to continue investing in
youth development through the arts, emphasising that such support goes beyond
philanthropy to building confidence, inspiring hope, and creating new
possibilities for children, families, and communities.
She reaffirmed that when communities invest in young people, they not only transform individual lives but also contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous future for society.
“What began as a bold vision has grown into a movement that continues to transform the lives of young people, families, and communities,” she said.
Since its inception, Ghetto Classics, the flagship programme of the Art of Music Foundation, has become a beacon of hope for thousands of young people living in underserved communities.
Through music education, mentorship, scholarships, and welfare support, the programme has created pathways to opportunity for children and youth who may otherwise have been excluded from such prospects.
Margaret noted that the Foundation currently supports more than 1,500 young people across its programmes, providing not only musical instruction and instruments, but also scholarships, food support, mentorship, and social welfare interventions that extend to families and communities.
“Ghetto Classics is not simply a music programme. It is a story of hope, discipline, courage, and transformation,” she said. “It uses the power of music to change lives, especially for young people living in underprivileged communities.”
She highlighted the remarkable achievements of many graduates who have gone on to perform on national and international stages, secure scholarships, travel abroad, and return to mentor the next generation of young musicians.
The former First Lady called on stakeholders to continue investing in youth development through music and the arts, emphassiing that support for Ghetto Classics goes beyond philanthropy to creating opportunities for young people to realise their potential. She further underscored the transformative impact of such investments, saying they help build confidence in children, inspire hope in families, and create new possibilities for entire communities.
Ghetto Classics Founder Elizabeth Njoroge said the programme uses music as a vehicle for social transformation, opening doors of opportunity for young people while providing mentorship and life skills.
“Music opens doors for our children that they would not ordinarily walk through. At the end of the day, we are going to change Kenya through music,” she said.
The charity tournament brought together partners, sponsors, supporters, and members of the Ghetto Classics family in support of a shared vision: empowering young people through the transformative power of music and creating opportunities for future generations to thrive.
Former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta at the Ghetto Classics Charity Golf Tournament at Migaa Golf Club in Kiambu County/Office of the 4th President of Kenya/HANDOUT
