Kenya @ 50 perfoming artistes yet to be paid

Trouble is brewing at the Kenya @ 50 Secretariat after a group of Kenyan artists who performed at the Jubilee celebrations  threatened to match to statehouse to claim their dues.

The group which comprises of artists and musicians have alleged that they are yet to be paid four months after performing at the Jubillee celebrations held at Kasarani.

According to Kahawa Tungu the group says that the secretariat,  Sports, Culture and Arts Ministry and Office of the Predisent operatives have been blocking their attempts to get audience with the head of state.

The artists claims that the secretariat's excuse that it didnt have funds available were false as the outfit which was obligated to oversee the celebrations recently hosted a lavish party at a 5 Star hotel in Nairobi to celebrate Lupita's Oscar win. The secretariat invited entertainment and film industry stakeholders to the hotel to watch the Oscar proceedings with drinks and food catered. The bill which is said to have run into millions of shillings is the main reason the artists have decided to escalate the matter and plan a march to state house.

Among the aggreived artists is veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka who has expressed dissatisfaction in how the matter was being handled.

The group of artists was contracted via Bruce Odhiambo's Johari Cleff to showcase at the celebrations on a Ksh 100,000 deal for each.According to Kahawa Tungu, artists have been tossed between the Office of the President and the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and the Arts, Dr Hassan Wario.

A Director at Wario's ministry said the Cabinet Secretary received the money but allocated it to other functions despite protests from the director. The minister has not responded to questions sent to him through his Personal Assistant.

Other artists who are yet to be paid include  Gidi Gidi, Maji Maji, Fred Obachi Machoka, Nameless, Sautisol, Nonini, Jua Cali,Suzanna Owiyo, Jamnazi, Emmy Kosgey, Esther Wahome, Sauti Sol, Daddy Owen, Amani, Madtrakks among others.

The artists have also taken issue with Bruce Odhiambo for distributing the content they recorded via Johari Cleff without their consent.