Choir judges to Governor Sakaja: Please pay us our money

Sometimes back in April, the Nairobi County government organized a competition with Sh2 million up for grabs for the winner. The event held during the April Easter holidays was meant to entertain city residents who were unable to travel upcountry during the season.

During the launch of the competition dubbed, 'Battle of Choirs,' Governor Johnson Sakaja promised that the contest will be held annually to celebrate talents. "This year, the money came from my pocket but the next edition should come from the county government budget," stated the county boss.

The entries were vetted by a technical team led by music trainers, choral conductors, and directors.

But five months later, adjudicators who oversaw the success of the competition now claim the county government has not paid for the services they offered to make the event a success.

They allege they were supposed to be remunerated immediately after the competition. "We were supposed to be paid immediately after the event just like the winners because some of us participated in organizing," says Luke Khadambi.

"Adjudicators worked for two days but in different groups. The first group had about seven of them and the last had about four. We had been promised Sh100,000 each with the governor promising an additional Sh50,000 per head," he adds.

However, after the event, the adjudicators claim, everyone went their way including county officials who were supposed to follow up on the payments.

At some point, the adjudicators claim that they were promised the debt will be settled once the supplementary budget is passed.

"Our terms of services were easy, we were just appointed based on our experience, but since then, we have been texting and calling the county government in vain," says another adjudicator.

Governor Sakaja did not respond to our inquiry regarding the matter. However, when reached, the Chief Officer in the office of the governor, Priscilla Mahinda, said the issue does not fall under her docket.

Daniel Madalanga who was the chairman of the adjudicator was however optimistic that the debt will be settled. "We were told that there is a process that is ongoing, there have been delays but the governor is aware and we hope the promise will be fulfilled," Madalanga said in a phone interview.

Cathedral Youth from Stephens Church Jogoo Road emerged winners, taking home Sh2 million in the competition that received 90 entries from different choirs.

PCEA Kahawa Farmers Choir emerged second, walking away with Sh1 million while second runners-up St Peter's Clavers Parish Choir received Sh500,000.