Sanaipei Tande Speaks Out: Unfulfilled Promises and Unpaid Awards Disappoint Artists

Singer and actress Sanaipei Tande has raised her voice against the Kenyan Film Commission (KFC) and the Kalasha Awards for their failure to disburse promised prize money to deserving winners.

A year after the 12th edition of the Kalasha Awards, artists are still waiting to receive their Sh200,000 prize money, causing frustration and disappointment.

Sanaipei Tande, while questioning the lack of communication and financial recognition, highlighted the irony of allocating a significant budget for new talent development while neglecting existing artists.

“No prize money, no communication after a year, but 167M set aside for #KNT renovations in bids to develop and nurture NEW talent! What of the existing talent?” she wrote on social media.

This issue isn’t isolated. Fatou Hassan, winner in the Best Costume Design category, echoed the sentiment, expressing her disappointment at the lack of promised funds.

Initially, winners anticipated a lower prize money based on previous years, but Sports and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba doubled the amount during the ceremony, declaring, “We have doubled cash rewards for winners in all 39 categories this year as the first step in ensuring pesa mfukoni (money in pockets) for artistes.”

However, this promise remains unfulfilled, raising concerns about the commitment to supporting and recognizing artists’ contributions.

The delay casts a shadow over the Kalasha Awards and questions the dedication to fostering a thriving film and television industry in Kenya.

It’s crucial for the organizers and the CS to address this issue promptly and ensure the promised prize money reaches the deserving winners without further delay.