Esther and Ezekiel received part of the payment through their dad
East Africa’s Got Talent (EAGT) has finally opened up about first season winners, Esther and Ezekiel’s claim that they have never received their prize money of $50,000 (sh175m) they won in Nairobi, Kenya in 2019.
The franchise’s production coordinator, Katson Horace, counters that they have actually paid $37,000 already to the winners’ father, Pr. Steven Mutesasira and are only left with $13,000 that they were ready to pay until the mother, Julie Mutesasira, showed up demanding she receive the money on behalf of the children.
He expressed disappointment with Esther and Ezekiel, saying he was surprised when they came out claiming they have not been paid a single penny, but he did not rush to the media to respond because they are the franchise ambassadors and so did not want to air out their family conflicts in public.
He also argues that they were minors and at the time of their winning, Ezekiel was 10 while Esther was 14, being helped by an aunt. It was after they had won that their mother and father got involved, complicating the whole exercise.
“Their auntie Gladys was the one helping with everything. Their mother and father were not involved at that stage. We cannot just send $50,000 (Shs175 million) to minors. You know where there is money, everybody gets involved. What happens is the winners are paid half ($25,000) of the money immediately. But for them, we did not know whether to pay the mother or father. But the father came into the picture and we paid him,” Horace explained.
He added that last year in March, he took Esther, Ezekiel and their father to Tanzania for two purposes – to do a collabo and to get paid an additional $12,000 of the money making the total paid so far $37,000. However, their mother Julie showed up asking for the balance of $13,000 to be sent to Canada.
“They are confusing for us and it is hard to come to the media and say they won, but family conflict. They are our ambassadors. When they claimed we never paid a penny, we still kept quiet. Now we are forced to say because there is a lot going on about us out there. We did not know whether to send the balance to Canada or to the father again. We also need accountability for the amount paid so we can deposit the balance,” Horace explained.
This week, BET award winner, Eddy Kenzo and comedienne, Anne Kansiime added their voice to the young singers’ plea, accusing the organisers of dishonesty and demanding that they pay up.
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
Connect with him on social media using the links below in bio.
