By Gossip Girl
Debate has been rife about eligibility of Rwandan contestant Jackson Kalimba in Tusker Project Fame. The fans have been questioning the inclusion of the 25-year-old, whom they claim has unfair advantage over other contestants.
The argument is that Kalimba is allegedly a professional musician — the evidence adduced being a musical video posted online.
Endemol Kenya Limited released a statement clearing the air and assured contestants and fans that the TPF team and the organisers are committed to delivering a level field for all contestants.
“Based on the facts on records, Jackson has not previously had opportunity to record an album and advance his musical career and therefore is competing on an exactly equal platform like the other contestants in TPF5.
The reference to his online video does not therefore bar him from proving his skills for this once in lifetime chance to become a fully recognised professional artiste,” said Endemol.
“Kalimba was cleared to participate in the fifth edition of Tusker Project Fame after Endemol Kenya Limited certified that he did not qualify as a professional musician. While he has an independently produced music video online, there is no evidence to prove that he has earned an income from this nor does he have any recording contract to warrant his classification as an established professional artiste,” the statement read in part.
There are seven contestants remaining, and three weeks to go. Saturday saw ‘pretty face’ Samatha from Burundi sent home.
