Kenya’s best on screen feted at Kalasha awards

It was neither Cannes nor the Oscars Academy, but the second edition of Kalasha Film and Television awards at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Saturday night was unique in its own right.

Arriving in limousines, guests walked majestically through the red carpet, amid the jostle by photojournalists and cheers from fans.
Many, from Cabinet ministers to Kenya’s celebrity actors, donned African dresses, the dress theme of the night.

There was music to punctuate the glitz and glamour with singers Emmy Kosgei, Linda Muthama and Carol Atemi entertaining the audience.

With great achievements made in the film industry, Oliver Litondo, who acts Mzee Kimani Maruge in First Grader was honoured with the award of lifetime achievement with K24 earning recognition for its role in promoting local programmes.

Soul Boy, with the most nominations, overshadowed the night scooping the best short film and Samson Odhiambo and Billy Kahora receiving the best lead actor and scriptwriter award for their roles in the film shot on location in Kibera.

Jeff Koinange won the best TV host for his masterly presentation in Capital Talk. A joyous Jeff told the audience how it was a challenge to start the talk show.

“When we started the show, people asked who was going to watch it. They said Kenyans won’t watch this. But this award is as a result of your support,” said Koinange whose show also won the best talk show.

But it was Charles Bukeko’s Papa Shirandula that captured the hearts of voters in the film academy awards. Besides winning the best actor in a TV series, Papa Shirandula won the best comedy and Kenneth Gichoya won the best performance in a comedy for his portrayal of Njoro.

And when Elizabeth Wanjiru Bageine who acts in the TV series, Mother-in-law, was announced the winner in the best actress category, the audience exploded in a wild applause.

Wanuri Kahiu took the best director award while Carole Gikandi Omondi won the best editing.

For Davis Mwabili, who stars in Inspekta Mwala, it was a bittersweet affair after losing the best performance in a comedy to Kenneth Gichoya of Papa Shirandula. It was a relief for him though when Inspekta Mwala won the overall TV award alongside Tahidi High.

In attendance at the event were Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Information and Communication minister Samuel Poghisio and permanent secretary Bitange Ndemo.

Mr Kenyatta praised broadcasters for supporting local content and said the film industry had the potential of providing the Kenyan youth with employment.

“We must bolster this sector to realise its full potential. It is a crucial avenue for income-generation and employment creation. We should take advantage of the regional integration to market our films. Film is a strong brand that can add value in marketing Kenya to the outside world,” said Mr Kenyatta.