Ababu Namwamba reveals why he disbanded Talanta Hela Committees

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and Arts Ababu Namwamba has revealed the reasons behind the dissolution of the Talanta Hela Council and Technical Committees just four months after their formation.

Speaking on TV47’s Wabebe XP on Friday, August 25, 2023, Namwamba disclosed that the decision was prompted by a court petition challenging the legitimacy of the committees.

“Some Kenyan went to court and had issues with that committee and we just thought that the whole court process had the risk of undermining the programme. And that is why we pulled down the team as initially constituted,” Namwamba shared with Willis Raburu during the interview.

Ababu Namwamba explains why Talanta Hela team was disbanded

Ababu: "Some Kenyan went to court and had issues with the committee. And we thought the court process could undermine the whole programme."@WillisRaburu @AbabuNamwamba #WabebeXP pic.twitter.com/McWpfvt4Ir
— TV47 (@tv47news) August 25, 2023

The decision to disband the team was officially made through a Gazette Notice on June 7, 2023, following the issuance of an interim order by Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the Milimani High Court.

The court order suspended the establishment of the Talanta Hela Council and its Technical Committees until the petition filed by Charles Mugane could be fully addressed and resolved.

“Pending the hearing and determination of this application interparty, an interim order be and is hereby issued suspending the … establishment of the Talanta Hela Council and its Technical Committees,” Justice Mugambi ruled.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi (pictured) issued an order suspending the Talanta Hela Council and its Technical Committees. [Photo/Courtesy].

Mugane’s petition challenged the legality of the Talanta Hela initiative, with the court order being issued pending a thorough determination of the case.

“This was a betrayal of the public trust bestowed upon you by the Kenyan citizenry,” Mugane submitted to Namwamba through the court documents.

The Talanta Hela Council and Technical Committees were initially formed by Namwamba in February 2023 as part of an effort to foster the growth and monetization of the creative and sporting industries.

CS Namwamba (in black cap), comedian Daniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki, and other members of the Talanta Hela team. [Photo/Courtesy].

Notable members of the team included prominent sports journalist Carol Radull, renowned comedian Daniel Ndambuki (popularly known as Churchill), and former Harambee Stars striker Boniface Ambani.

Digital strategist Denis Itumbi, TikTok sensation Azziad Nasenya, accomplished actor Catherine Kamau, and musicians Rosemary Wahu Kagwi and Esther Akoth (Akothee) were also part of the team.

Namwamba’s initiative aimed to harness the diverse talents within Kenya to contribute to the development of creative and sporting sectors.