Talanta Hela launch preparations on course despite court order

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Mr Ababu Namwamba, has said that preparations for the launch of the Talanta Hela programme are on course, despite a court order suspending the process.

Namwamba spoke on Tuesday after chairing a meeting of the planning committee to assess the readiness for the official launch of the programme by President William Ruto on June 2, 2023.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of ICT to ensure that we are able to identify talents from schools and the communities from all corners of our republic,” Namwamba said.

The Talanta Hela programme is a flagship project of the Kenya Kwanza government that aims at monetizing talent using existing government institutions, including the Kenya Academy of Sports and Kenya Film School.

The programme has been met with mixed reactions, with some people supporting it and others criticizing it.

Those who support the programme argue that it will help to identify and nurture talent in Kenya. They also argue that it will help to create jobs and boost the economy.

Those who criticize the programme argue that it is a waste of money and that it will not be effective. They also argue that it is a political gimmick.

The court order suspending the process of launching the Talanta Hela programme was issued by the High Court in Nairobi on May 19, 2023.

The order was issued in response to a petition filed by a group of Kenyans who argued that the programme was unconstitutional.

The petitioners argued that the programme violates the right to equality and the right to education.

They also argued that the programme is a waste of public resources.

The government has said that it will appeal the court order.

The launch of the Talanta Hela programme is a major undertaking for the Kenya Kwanza government.

The success of the programme will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of resources, the quality of implementation, and the support of the public.

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High Court Suspends Talanta Hela Council, Technical Committees

The High Court on Monday suspended the establishment of the Talanta Hela Council and its technical committees, which were set up by President William Ruto and Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.

The court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by creative enthusiast Charles Mugane, who challenged the legality of the council’s establishment and the appointments of its members.

In his petition, Mugane argued that the council was established in violation of the Constitution, as it did not provide for public participation in its formation. He also alleged that the appointments of the members of the council were made in a discriminatory manner, as they did not take into account the principle of merit.

The court agreed with Mugane’s arguments and suspended the establishment of the council and its technical committees pending the determination of the case.

The court’s decision is a major setback for the government’s efforts to revitalize the creative industry. The Talanta Hela Council was supposed to play a key role in this effort by identifying and nurturing talent at the grassroots level.

The court’s decision also raises questions about the government’s commitment to the principles of public participation, transparency and accountability. The government’s decision to establish the Talanta Hela Council without any public input and to appoint its members in a discriminatory manner is a clear violation of these principles.

The court’s decision is a victory for the creative community and for all Kenyans who believe in the importance of public participation, transparency and accountability. It is a reminder that the government cannot simply ignore the rule of law and the principles of good governance.

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