After Sanaipei Tande's revelation, Film Commission says 2022 Kalasha winners will be paid next week

Commissioner Naomi Gichemba says each winner will receive a cash prize of Ksh.200,000 as promised by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba last year.

Gichemba whose remarks come after a social media uproar by actresses, says they had faced budgetary challenges from the Ministry but they have now received funds to award the winners. 

Commissioner Gichemba who now acknowledged the previous delays assured participants that there will be prompt disbursement of prizes to the winners from next year during the Kalasha Awards in March 2024.

Led by the legendary singer-cum-actress Sanaipei Tande, the participants had decried the delay, a year later accusing the CS and the Commission of not living up to their promises.

Tande took to X (formerly Twitter), wondering what happened to the monies she and her fellow winners were promised by the CS right after winning in various categories in the last instalment of the popular film awards.

"1 year later no prize money and no communication on the same from @kenyafilmcomm @KalashaKenya or @AbabuNamwamba but 167M set aside for #KNT renovations in bids to develop and nurture NEW talent! What of the existing talent?" She wrote.

Winners of the 2022 Kalasha Awards were initially set to receive minimum prize money of Ksh.100,000 each, based on previous award amounts. However, CS Ababu, while speaking at the event, pledged to double the prize money.

CS Ababu on Friday distanced himself from the funds delay saying that the money was with KFC.

“The prize money is safely with the Kenya Film Commission and they have assured me that they are already releasing that money. So absolutely no need for concern,” he said.