However, the event took a dramatic turn when show host Churchill, born Daniel Ndambuki, invited Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to address the gathering. The Sports Minister was met with jeers and boos from the audience.
Namwamba’s presence at the event was overshadowed by the current public outcry over the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which is under consideration by the National Assembly before being assented to by the President.
As he addressed the crowd, Namwamba faced vocal opposition, reflecting the widespread discontent with the proposed legislation.
The CS began his address: “Hello creatives… I’m here to join you to pay very special tribute to this special Kenyan.”
Immediately, heckling and booing began.
The CS, however, continued: “I have come here with some officers from the Ministry who are in the creative department. I want to ask them to come here and say something.” The jeers grew louder, prompting Churchill to intervene, but his efforts were futile.
“Hold it… hold it… hold it… Asante… Nimewasikia… Hold it… It’s okay… We are doing this for Fred…,” Churchill frantically attempted to calm the charged crowd, which at this moment burst into “Ruto must go! Ruto must go!” chants.
Even attempts by the DJ to play music could not subdue the undeterred crowd, which had earlier this week mounted a historic protest against the unpopular Finance Bill 2024.
Namwamba, attempting to put on a brave face in the face of the outright rejection, picked up the microphone and addressed the audience, only to add more fuel to the fire.
He said: “We recognize and appreciate that energy. But we shall pay respect to Fredrick Omondi tonight. And whether you make noise, I say we live in an amazing country where everyone has a right to say their bit. Asanteni sana. Keep cheering, keep booing. Keep saying no as others say yes. But I want to assure creatives today, for a long time our industry has been ignored and has not been given sufficient attention.”
His remarks, perceived as adding salt to the injury, only served to anger the crowd further. They would not even listen as show host Churchill announced that Cabinet Secretary Namwamba had donated Ksh.300,000 at the event in honor of Fredrick Omondi.
Churchill took back the microphone as Namwamba exited the stage with his head down.
The show, dedicated to raising funds and celebrating the life of Omondi, who tragically passed away in a road accident last Saturday, saw an outpouring of love and grief from attendees.
Later, Namwamba took to social media to honor Omondi and restate the government’s commitment to the creative industry.
“Incredible talent Freddie, snatched from our midst way too young. Fred’s comedy, as with our other creatives, mirrors Kenya’s robust democratic culture encapsulated in Article 37 of the Constitution, among others, which we must cherish and guard jealously as the cornerstone of our national stability,” Namwamba said in his statement.
“When emotions settle, blinkers fall off and fact is shifted from fiction, reality will dawn: the reality that we have a country to build, a task in which each of us has a role. Including the responsibility to pay taxes for national self-sustenance,” Namwamba remarked.
He added: “I am delighted that the Creative Economy is a central pillar in the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda. And the Finance Bill will facilitate robust initiatives like the transformative #WhozNext project for Kenyan creatives.”
Meanwhile, deep-seated tensions and uncertainties surround the push for the Finance Bill 2024, with more protests expected in the coming week ahead of the passing of the Finance Bill, which contains contentious tax proposals.
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