The Carnivore Simba Salon in Nairobi hosted an emotionally charged evening as friends, family, and fans gathered to pay tribute to the late creative Fredrick Omondi during the Churchill Show’s Last Laugh edition.
However, the event took a dramatic turn when show host Churchill, born Daniel Ndambuki, invited Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to address the gathering. The Sports Minister was met with jeers and boos from the audience.
Namwamba’s presence at the event was overshadowed by the current public outcry over the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which is under consideration by the National Assembly before being assented to by the President
“Hello creatives… I’m here to join you to pay very special tribute to this special Kenyan.”
Immediately, heckling and booing began.
The CS, however, continued: “I have come here with some officers from the Ministry who are in the creative department. I want to ask them to come here and say something.” The jeers grew louder, prompting Churchill to intervene, but his efforts were futile.
“Hold it… hold it… hold it… Asante… Nimewasikia… Hold it… It’s okay… We are doing this for Fred…,” Churchill frantically attempted to calm the charged crowd, which at this moment burst into “Ruto must go! Ruto must go!” chants
the DJ to play music could not subdue the undeterred crowd, which had earlier this week mounted a historic protest against the unpopular Finance Bill 2024.
Namwamba, attempting to put on a brave face in the face of the outright rejection, picked up the microphone and addressed the audience, only to add more fuel to the fire.
He said: “We recognize and appreciate that energy. But we shall pay respect to Fredrick Omondi tonight. And whether you make noise, I say we live in an amazing country where everyone has a right to say their bit. Asanteni sana. Keep cheering, keep booing. Keep saying no as others say yes. But I want to assure creatives today, for a long time our industry has been ignored and has not been given sufficient attention.”
His remarks, perceived as adding salt to the injury, only served to anger the crowd further. They would not even listen as show host Churchill announced that Cabinet Secretary Namwamba had donated Ksh.300,000 at the event in honor of Fredrick Omondi.
By Fred Odanga Azelwa.