After a seven-year hiatus characterized by allegations of high handedness and corruption, the 2020 Kisima Film and Music Awards was finally held on Sunday 13th December at the Sarit Expo Center in Westlands.
The organizers had promised a flawless process that embraced a pan African outlook adding film categories to their repertoire thus it was a no brainer when ‘clean’ content champions Kenya film and classification board (KFCB) sponsored the rejuvenated Awards.
According to Dr Ezekiel Mutua, the partnership with KISIMA was a perfect nexus with their ‘Sinema mashinani’ initiative. Further, they had agreed to partner in nurturing raw talent with emphasis on ‘clean’ content.
It came as a shock however when Genge tone group Mbogi Genje were nominated and even more shocking when the group won best group award beating Kenya’s favourite boy band Sautisol.
A clearly disappointed Dr Ezekiel Mutua, took to his social media platforms to distance himself from the Mbogi Genje win; ’While I support the public’s right to choice and vote, it was my understanding that by sponsoring this Awards, KFCB’s clean content mandate would be upheld. Dr Mutua added that he has nothing personal against the new school rap group but is against people sanitizing vulgarity.
‘’We stand on the pedestal of promoting clean content, and we shall remain focused, morality cannot be traded as art “He added.
Zamaradi Media’s Dream Child Film scooped the clean content award in tandem with efforts to promote child friendly content and to encourage compliance with content regulations and procedures including adherence to film licensing and classification guidelines.
The clean content award winner received a Ksh 1,000,000 award from KFCB.
Dream Child was nominated in five categories including Best feature film, Best lead actor, Best supporting actor and Best supporting actress.
Kenya Film Classification board had sponsored the award with an agreement that artistes with clean content, rooted in the African story and those that promote clean morals would be feted.
Just recently, Dr Mutua at a press conference pleaded with creatives to desist from corrupting young minds with vulgar content. Kenya Film and Classification Board had sponsored the Kisima awards to the tune of Ksh 5,000,000.
The awards were also attended by Devolution CS, Eugene Wamalwa and former Nairobi Town clerk Philip Kisia.
CS Wamalwa also supported KFCB’s drive for clean content while awarding the cash prize.