The drama at Nzumari

Let’s trail back to August 9th, the material day for the Nzumari Awards. By 8pm, people had started streaming into Club Lambada located in Mtwapa Mombasa. Right opposite the venue, Ogalis was hosting Tony Nyadundo & Ali Kiba while Ken Wa Maria was a stone’s throw away at Cassuarina. The night was going to be a competitive one for revelers. Artists including the likes of Ally B, Prince Adio, Skani Flani, SPAN Sita, Outer Limits & ZigZaw had arrived. Notably absent was radio presenters Esther Ingolo, Peter Adams & Donde Samora. Artists absent included CLD, Krystin Ndela, Simaloi & award winner Nyota Ndogo. Rumor had it, that Nyota’s manager had a confrontation with the organizer on defamation related issues. Nyota notes, “How could they nominate someone who had not entered an entry in the first place. Further more they used my name for their own bidding. Am actually glad though that I have not won an award and someone who I don’t know has taken it instead.”

Back to the awards. A first for Kenyan awards, there was enough food for all the nominated artists during the VIP Dinner. The awards kicked off a little after 11pm. Several artists performed including Daddy Q, Zig Zaw, Sophlene, Bantu & Kimsa, TASH Family though the highlight performance came from Skani Flani.

The awards though according to the artists were so unfair and ambiguous having people who were not known winning awards in other categories. The highlight of the awards was when the CEO of the Nzumari Awards presented the Best Female Artist Award to Sophlene after saying there was a stiff competition in that group. The crowd were left in shock asking who is Sophlene. Same went for the Female Gospel Artist of The Year where little known Celestine Manasseh beat Krystin Ndela & Simaloi. Other groups that had problems with the results included Ragga artist of the Year where Daddy Q beat Susumilla, Male Presenter of The Year where Donde Samora beat Peter Adamz & DJ Lenium and Dance Group of the Year where TASH Family beat Kenyanna.

Several artists complained that the awards were marred by corruption & that if you dint know the organizers well, you were going down no matter the votes. Eve Queen though had a different take on the awards, “I want to thank everyone who showed up for the awards plus the fans who voted. Am planning a winners concert some time this month though you have not heard the last of Eve Queen. Oh yes….and to my haters, this is a business not a game!”. Other invited guests included the Mayor of Voi & Tabassam Records CEO Bably Omar

Notably present was Coast Music Awards CEO Beyonce who has been in a rivalry scene with Eve Queen. She was seen in the artists VIP stable with a glass of wine and avoiding the press. When asked about the awards, “I don’t think they were bad. In fact I have learnt a lot that I will not include in the Coast Music Awards. “

The night was not over as the revelers waited for the show stoppers performance MB Doggman from Tanzania who took over an hour to get on stage for his performance. A notable amount of people had arrived for the event amidst the number of extravagant performances in the city.

Report Done By Michel J Otieno Pictures Taken By Aggrey Kaka