A group of singers from various choirs who entertained Kenyans during the August 2022 General Election in Bomas of Kenya is now claiming that they were not paid for their services.
The singers claim that six months after entertaining Kenyans as the country awaited the Presidential election results, they are yet to receive the money they were promised.
Mwalimu Thomas Wasonga, a veteran artist and composer, led the group, which was hired by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to entertain Kenyans as they awaited the presidential election result.
The choir stayed in Bomas for nearly a week, singing patriotic songs that helped Kenyans relax, with many expressing delight at their presence.
However, some choir members have come forward to say that they were yet to receive the money for which they worked, despite the fact that schools resume on Monday.
Victor Onyango, a lead singer in one of Bomas’ choirs, claims that Mwalimu Wasonga promised them that their pay would arrive six weeks after the presidential election results were announced.
He had no idea that six weeks would turn into nearly six months.
“The choir was one of the service providers at Kenya’s Bomas. We were brought in to provide services, just like the others who had been hired to make the process run smoothly. So we were supposed to be paid like everyone else “Onyango lamented.
He went on to say: “Our capable leader, Mwalimu Wasonga, predicted that the funds would arrive in six weeks. We’ve been waiting for the money for six months. We don’t want to blame Mwalimu for the delay, but someone needs to take action. We had families who saw us working on TV every day, but we came home with nothing.”
According to Onyango, 80% of the choir members rely solely on singing for a living. As a result, the delayed payment has had a negative impact on their way of life and their families.
