CS Namwamba Releases Ksh7.8 Million After Sanaipei Tande Expose

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday, December 13 awarded the 2022 Kalasha Awards winners, days after promising to do so following an outcry from celebrated musician, actor and media personality Sanaipei Tande.

Namwamba hosted an award ceremony honouring the 39 winners of the Kalasha Awards, which took place at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on December 5, 2022.

“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.

Reviewing the state of the awards, the CS encouraged the organizers to smash the ceiling as far as the stature of the Kalasha Awards was concerned, reiterating the government's support, and challenged the team to run the film as a business, one that commits to creating jobs and building sustainable livelihoods. 

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba poses with the award winners during the 2022 Kalasha Award Ceremony on December 13, 2023. /MINISTRY OF SPORTS

He highlighted that the ministry was keen on investing in film hubs by transforming the existing social halls into avenues where creativity can thrive.

“We have over 189 under-utilized centres across the country and we would like to broaden them to not only be places for the youth to watch or while away time, but also to be innovative spaces that inspire creators,” he stated.

On Wednesday, December 6, Tande compelled Namwamba to address the outstanding Ksh200,000 prize money promised to her and the other award winners in their respective categories.

Despite these intentions and the commitment made by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), the winners did not receive a single cent of their promised prize money, a matter which left many of them frustrated and wondering why their hard-earned accolades were yet to be financially acknowledged.

Speaking to Viral Tea on the sidelines of the Multichoice Talent Factory Academy graduation on Thursday, December 7, the CS assured that the amount was in the safe custody of the film commission.

"The prize money is safely with the Kenya Film Commission, and they have assured me that they are already releasing it. The money is with the KFC, so absolutely no excuses," he said.

Tande, known for songs such as Mfalme wa Mapenzi, Najuta, and Ankula Huu among others, took to social media on Wednesday, December 6 to bemoan the lack of communication from KFC as well as the Kalasha Awards organisers.

She put Namwamba to task on the same as he was also in charge of the Youth Affairs docket at the time the awards were held.

"1 year later no prize money and no communication on the same from Kenya Film Commission Kalasha Kenya or Ababu Namwamba," she stated in part.

Namwamba, Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Owese and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna were among the guests and celebrities who graced the event last year.

Tande bagged the award for Best Lead Actress in the awards through her role in the TV series Kina.