Churchill Ndambuki Finally Confirms He Was Fired From Talanta Hela Initiative: "Tulifutwa"

• Churchill Ndambuki opened up about rumours that he never paid his comedians well and said he gave them a platform
• The comedy godfather said most got sponsorships and radio jobs but never made wise choices on how they spent their money
• He also confirmed that he was fired by CS Ababu Namwamba and pledged to support his Talanta Hela Initiative

Comedy godfather Churchill Ndambuki has opened up about viral claims that he was not paying comedians and his short stint as a creatives chairman.

Was Churchill Ndambuki fired from Talanta Hela?

Churchill had been appointed by Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwaba as the chairman of the Creatives and Technical Committee.

However, their appointments were revoked after four months, leaving people with mixed reactions to what led to the move.

The comedian confirmed they were fired but maintained they are supporting the initiative rolled out by Ababu.

"Nilifutwa. We had not quite started. You appreciated the four months that we were granted. I am sure the dream has not stopped with me; it was not a one-man show. I think waziri has better and bigger ideas for the programme and we are fully behind him," he said.

Churchill on struggling comedians

He also shut down claims that he was not paying the Churchill Show comedians and explained that he gave them a platform that some misused.

"Churchill alikuwa anakupatia nafasi, platform. Umejulikana, umeanza kupata sponsorship. 10 million. Sasa mimi, I am not part of your KSh 10 million. That's your money, kama utafanya kama rafiki yangu, uende Mombasa, ukafikirie vile utatumia hio 1o million, that's your own problem. Wale wamepata kazi ya radio, mshahara wa kwanza kama unalipwa KSh 50 ama KSh 100,000, ukiamua utakaa nyumba ya KSh 80,000 and save KSh 20,000, it's choices actually, (Churchill gave you a platform, you got famous and got sponsorship. If you got 10 million, you decide how you spend it. If you get a job on radio, you also decide if for instance you earn KSh 100,000 and choose to live in a KSh 80,000 house and save KSh 20,000)," he said.

Churchill also faulted fans for being the reason most comedians were struggling because they fed into the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle.

He also said they did not know how big the comedy show was big so they could take advantage before social media caught up with them.

"Nyinyi mnataka kujua story zao, wananunua gari, you start feeding the world. Na ni rahisi sana kujichanganya maanake haya maisha ni rahisi sana kufake, (It's you guys who ask about their lives, they buy cars...it's very easy to mix yourself because it's easy to fake it in life)," he further said.

Watch the video below:

Eric Omondi celebrates Churchill

Elsewhere, veteran comedian Eric Omondi expressed gratitude to his mentor Churchill for giving him an opportunity to rise to stardom.

The funnyman shared throwback videos of himself and Churchill entertaining their fans in a well-choreographed dance routine.

Eric, who started his standup comedy career under Churchill, celebrated him as he marked his 45th birthday.