Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports Fikirini Jacobs has issued a clarification over funds pledged to legendary bango musician Mzee Ngala Mwenyewe following claims that the veteran artist had been “used and dumped” after the inaugural Mijikenda Cultural Festival held in Kilifi County.
The festival, held on December 27, 2025, at Waters Ground in Kilifi, was organised to honour the 90-year-old musician, widely credited with founding the bango music genre, a cultural staple among coastal communities.
During the event, several leaders publicly pledged financial support to Mzee Ngala in recognition of his contribution to coastal culture.
Mining, Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho pledged Sh2 million, Youth and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya committed Sh1 million, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro promised Sh1.5 million, while PS Jacobs pledged Sh1 million.
The combined pledges raised expectations that the funds would be swiftly delivered to the artist and his family.
However, concerns emerged after some local radio presenters alleged during a live show that the pledges had not been honoured.
The claims prompted PS Jacobs to address the matter publicly on Sunday, January 11.
In a statement shared on social media, Jacobs said he had remained in constant communication with Mzee Ngala’s family since the festival and dismissed claims of abandonment.
He revealed that Sh170,000 had already been handed over to the artist, with more funds expected once other pledged contributions are received.
“The family of Mzee Ngala and myself have been in touch post the 1st Mijikenda cultural gala that took place two weeks ago, which I single-handedly hosted in honour of Mzee Ngala,” Jacobs said. “I am happy that a total of Sh5.17 million was raised for Mzee, first time in the history of our soil.”
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya also weighed in, distancing himself from claims that he had made an unfulfilled pledge.
He said he did not pledge a specific amount but instead made a public donation that was handed to the event organisers, with the expectation it would reach Mzee Ngala.
“I personally didn’t pledge any amount to Mzee Ngala but gave my donation publicly for all to see,” Baya said.
In response, PS Jacobs clarified that MP Baya’s contribution formed part of the Sh170,000 already delivered to the musician, reaffirming that the process of collecting and disbursing the pledged funds was ongoing.