Namwamba Answers Sanaipei Tande Over Unpaid Millions Meant For Kalasha Award Winners

Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba has responded to constant complaints by a section of the winners of the 12th edition of the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards held on December 3, 2022, one of them being celebrated musician, actor and media personality Sanaipei Tande.

On Wednesday, December 6, Tande compelled Namwamba to address the outstanding Ksh200,000 prize money promised to her and 39 other award winners in their respective categories, totalling Ksh7.8 million.

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.

Songstress Sanaipei Tande with her Kalasha Awards trophy. /SANAIPEI TANDE

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.

According to him, KFC was already mobilising efforts to release the money to the award winners.

"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.

Known popularly as Sana, Tande also slammed a decision by the Ministry of Sports to allocate a renovation tender of Ksh167 million to a bidder to uplift the Kenya National Theatre, which was closed temporarily in November for the next six months, with the facility expected to reopen in April 2024.

"167M set aside for #KNT renovations in bids to develop and nurture NEW talent! What of the existing talent?" she posed.

Michael Pundo, KNT's Chief Executive Officer, had urged theatre enthusiasts to utilize other spaces, such as the Cheche Gallery, Ukumbi Mdogo, and Wasanii Corner, for training and performances.

An image of Kenya National Theatre. /FILE