Africa-Press – Kenya. Lawmakers want President Uhuru Kenyatta to release Ksh500 million for artists through their offices.
Members of Parliament claimed entertainers from their constituencies did not receive a share of the Ksh100 million relief meant to cushion them during Covid.
According to the Nation, the legislators claimed that musicians have been asking them about the Ksh100 million issued by the President that was handed over to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage.
MPs stated that when the kitty is handed to them artists from all over Kenya will be able to get access to the funds that were promised to them.
The chairman of the National Assembly’s Sports and Culture Committee, Patrick Makau, stated that some of the funds were given to the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Cultural Centre while some remained at the ministry and was used for messaging.
But MPs dismissed the report issued by the ministry, stating that they were not informed by Ministry officials to enable the money to be channelled to its intended beneficiaries.
“I can tell his House confidently that the artists in my area got nothing despite producing well-known artists in this country. It is my plea that even as we observe Covid-19 protocols, there is a need to accommodate artists so that they can continue earning their income,” Gatanga MP Joseph Nduati stated.
“The Sh100 million created a lot of excitement but nothing got to the ground. Artists in my area got nothing,” Kilifi North MP Owen Baya lamented.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda painted a grim picture of how the funds were distributed in her constituency. The MP told her colleagues that only one musician from her area benefitted despite giving a list of artists who had applied.
Mandera East MP Adan Haji also described a situation tantamount to discrimination in his constituency, where no artists benefited from the Ksh100 million.
The lawmakers issued new calls to the President to consider reopening entertainment joints, arguing that musicians have been reduced to beggars and idlers due to the Covid-19 containment measures imposed on clubs and social gatherings.
