Ksh.100 million stimulus package for artists unveiled
CS Amina Mohamed during the unveiling of the Ksh.100 Million stimulus package for artists
Considering the fact that the novel coronavirus pandemic has put life on hold and has seen established and struggling Kenyans artists unable to make a living from performing which is, for the most part, their number one way of making money, President Uhuru Kenyatta did God’s work by directing the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to set aside Ksh.100 million early last month to help artists.
Unveiling the Ksh.100 million stimulus package at Kenya National Theater, the CS for Sports, Heritage and Culture Amina Mohamed said that she consulted the stakeholders in the creatives industry before deciding to adopt the “Work for Pay” model. She also went to reveal that the country has over 100,000 artists.
READ ALSO: Read Willy Paul’s Open Letter To President Uhuru
However, this news resulted in CS Amina being on the receiving end of netizens brutal tirades from scornful tweets who have called for her ouster for ” short-changing” Kenyan artists.
Check out some of the reactions below ;
The #100MForArtists was supposed to be given to artists without these conditions that the Cs is introducing. pic.twitter.com/JHpfn5hUun
— Fridah_Ke😍 (@KE_Fridah) May 11, 2020
Honestly speaking, what is this “Work For Pay” nonsense from CS Amina Mohamed? President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to pay me without these terms!! As a registered artist with published works I demand my money na sio please!! STOP FRUSTRATING ARTISTS!!#PayKEArtists #100MForArtists pic.twitter.com/qpfrnJ9aPv
— Xtian Dela™ (@xtiandela) May 11, 2020
We all know that #100MForArtists was aimed at cushioning local musicians and actors from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, what waziri is calling "work for pay" is a way to just get away with that money na kuumiza artists pia.
— Fridah_Ke😍 (@KE_Fridah) May 11, 2020
What CS Amina is basically saying is that you have to produce work geared towards Covid19 awareness or so if I am not wrong, in order for you as an artist to receive Part of the #100MForArtists. She's also saying, we have over 100K Artists. How many Artists do you know? 🤔
— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) May 11, 2020
The president directed the #100MForArtists to be distributed equally through the various CMOs. Lakini CS ni nani
— Deejay Afrikana (@djafrikana) May 11, 2020
President Uhuru Kenyatta was clear on this 100M for artists, he directed that it should be channeled to artists not form organizations and committees for the same.#100MForArtists
— Char-lee Oddie (@CharleeOddie1) May 11, 2020
This move will be a blow to Kenyan artists who rely on money from live performances to support themselves as they are expected to receive meagre pay hence not providing the much needed financial stability in order to remain relevant during these unprecedented times.
