A group of content creators and influencers from Kilifi County is expressing outrage after one of their own allegedly vanished with Sh400,000 intended for their payment following an extensive social media campaign for an event.
Nairobi News understands that on Saturday, December 27, the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, led by Principal Secretary Jacob Fikirini, hosted the first-ever Mijikenda Cultural Gala to celebrate the community’s rich heritage.
The event, held at the Water Grounds in Kilifi, also aimed to honor legendary Bango maestro, Mzee Ngala.
Prior to the event, several content creators and social media influencers were contracted to promote and advertise the cultural gala online.
The individual responsible for distributing their payments, reportedly Sh20,000 per creator, was content creator Harms Munga.
He allegedly paid them only a fraction of what was owed and pocketed the remainder.
According to some creators who have since spoken out online, Munga received Sh400,000 to distribute among them but reportedly sent each only Sh5,000, keeping the balance for himself.
Among the Kilifi influencers who condemned Munga for the alleged scam are Nyevu Fondo, Ruby Kache, and Princess Fynk.
Princess Fynk wrote:
“Habari zinanifikia sasa ni kwamba Harms Munga ndio alipewa hiyo 400k na mheshimiwa Fikirini Jacobs. Haya Munga ni jeri yo story 🤣🤣🤣 Hebu clarify kabla mseme naharibu burandiii Nyevuu Fondo nzoo kuno.”
Ruby Kache posted:
“Mimi nliambiwa na Harms Munga pesa ambayo Fikirini ametoa kwa content creators ni Sh5,000 kwa kila promote event. Nikasema ‘nooo, Fikirini hawezi tufanyie hivyo kabisa.’ Lakini ikiwa hiyo ndio pesa iliyopewa, mimi siwezi chukua. Lakini kwa event nitaenda lazima.
Kumbe Fikirini alitoa pesa nyingi, lakini mkaona mmemdhulumu Munga? Kama PS anaeza kuweka billboard Kilifi, hiyo pesa yote basi atupe sisi elfu tano? Mimi najua thamani yangu, na kazi ya elfu tano ni ya kina Timatsi 😆 (joking). Dhulma kwa content creators ndiyo maana mna njaa kila siku.”
Nyevu Fondo said:
“Hii Kilifi content creator kuja kutoboa ni ngumu sana.
Yaani, Fikirini Jacob alitoa 400k kwa content creators wafanye advert ya Mzee Ngala. Kila content creator alifaa kulipwa Sh20k, lakini maskini walipwa Sh5k 💔💔💔 Wenyewe wakaona wamepata pesa nzuri, kumbe walidhulumiwa. Aaah maskini 😢 20k unawapa 5k 🤔🤔 Waaaah, hili nalo limeniumiza, sio mchezo mmh 🥺🥺🥺”
Following the public outcry, Harms Munga defended himself in a social media statement seen by this writer.
He denied shortchanging his colleagues and urged any aggrieved party to contact him directly so he could arrange a meeting with Jacob Fikirini to resolve the payment issue.
“So, nataka tuongee hapa. Assuming now niko na hiyo 400k ambayo inasemekana nilipewa na PS Fikirini Jacobs, wewe unayeongea sana ulifanya nini ndio ulipwe? To whoever anahisi alifanya kazi worth 20k, akuje inbox saa hii number yangu 0790847799 ili tuandae mkutano na PS Fikirini Jacobs Cde II tuone vile utapata hela yako. Kama ulipost hata videos tatu au mbili on the event ambazo zina thamani ya kulipwa; kuja inbox, number yangu iko hapo,” Harms wrote.
This site cannot independently confirm whether Munga was indeed handed Sh400,000, but we are following the story closely and will provide updates as new details emerge.
Jacob Fikirini, the sponsor of the event, is yet to comment on the issue, even as content creators continue to express their frustration online.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
