Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and Arts Ababu Namwamba has disbanded the Talanta Hela Council and Technical Committees, rescinding the appointments of prominent TikToker Azziad Nasenya, comedian Daniel 'Churchill' Ndambuki, and singers Akothee and Wahu Kagwi, among others.
Namwamba cancelled the Talanta Hela Council's establishment in a Gazette Notice dated June 9, 2023.
"It is informed for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Creative Industries has revoked Gazette Notice No 1649 of 2023," according to the announcement.
Namwamba's action comes just weeks after the High Court suspended the Talanta Hela Council's implementation pending the hearing and determination of a case filed in court.
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"Pending the hearing of this application interparties, an interim order be and is hereby issued suspending the notice of the Kenya Gazette Notice 1649(Vol. CXXV No.32) dated February 10, 2023 publishing the establishment of the Talanta Hela Council and its
Mugane claims that the nominations violate Article 10 of the Constitution and betray the public confidence given upon the Cabinet Secretary by Kenyans.
The Talanta Hela Council and Technical Committees formed to revive Sports and the Creative Economy ostensibly were to serve for three years.
Namwamba had established the Creatives Technical Committee, which would be chaired by comedian Churchill and serve for a similar three-year term.
Akinyi Odongo, Jimmi Gathu, Catherine Kamau, Esther 'Akothee' Akoth, Kizito Makhande, Azziad Nasenya, Rosemary Wahu Kagwi, Awadhi Salim Awadhi, Douglas Kipkirui, Langat Susan Ekasiba were on the committee.
Similarly, the CS established the Sports Technical Committee to revitalise the sports industry, which acclaimed writer Carol Radul will chair.
Radul would be in charge of a team that included Boniface Ambani, Julius Kiplagat Yego, Neddy Kutsuru, Alfred Makotsi, Sammy Tiyoi Shollei, Collins Kale, Kevin Mutai, Shilovelo Winna Shilavula, Daniel Nakeor Losiru, and Staicy Shariffa Ochieng.