Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday, December 13 awarded the 2022 Kalasha Awards winners days after being called out by renowned singer Sapainei Tande.
In a post on her X handle on December 7, the legendary singer slammed CS Namwamba for failing to honor a monetary pledge he made over a year ago at the 2022 Kalasha Awards.
Tande also dragged the Kenya Film Commission Board and the Kalasha management over the unpaid money.
"One year later, no prize money and no communication on the same from Kenya Film Commission Board, KalashaKenya or Ababu Namwamba, but Sh167 million set aside for Kenya National Theatre renovations in bids to develop and nurture new talent! What of the existing talent?" she posed.
Tande had won the award for Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama (Kina).
Read More
CS Namwamba responded by hosting the 2022 Kalasha Awards ceremony and releasing Sh7.8 million. Each winner took home Sh200,000.
“This morning, CS Ababu Namwamba led the Awards ceremony of the 2022 Kalasha Awards winners, where over KES 7.8 million was distributed to the winners, with each taking home KES 200,000,” the Ministry of Sports said in a statement.
Ababu also encouraged the organizers to smash the ceiling as far as the stature of the Kalasha Awards was concerned, reiterating the government's support and challenging the team to run film as a business, one that commits to creating jobs and building sustainable livelihoods.
