Kikuyu artists face backlash after meeting DP Kindiki

Last Friday, more than a dozen musicians and entertainment heavyweights from Central Kenya, both in the gospel and secular worlds, gathered at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's Karen residence for what was termed as an engagement focused on enhancing government support for the creative sector.

Some of the popular musicians who met the DP last week included Samidoh Muchoki, Karangu Muraya, Ben Githae, Jose Gatutura, DJ Fatxo, Sammy Irungu, Martin Wajanet, and Ngaruiya Junior.

Emphasising the industry's economic potential, Kindiki noted that the creative space is a lucrative business and underscored the importance of regular dialogue with artists to explore ways of strengthening the industry.

"Had an early morning engagement with musicians and producers on how, as government, we can support their work and the industry as a whole," Kindiki said.

He highlighted the need for supportive policies and stronger protection of intellectual property rights to empower creatives and ensure sustainable growth.

Soon after the meeting, fans of some of the musicians trooped online to castigate the singers for fraternizing with the government while also threatening to boycott their music and performances for what they termed as betrayal of the Kikuyu people.

So virulent was the reaction that some of the musicians even took to their official social media pages to explain themselves to the people, some, like Mugithi star Jose Gatutura, even distancing themselves from the political talk, insisting that they were artists first and that they were merely pushed by the need to obtain government support for their art.

On Facebook, a clearly disturbed Gatutura wrote: "Concerning the trending issue on the visit to Karen, am (sic) concerned to the negative talks going round. To you my fans, we've been together throughout my journey, you've supported me in a big way you've seen me grow from one point to another and am always thankful, I believe I have fans from both sides whom a supposed to entertain all without being choosy."

"Seeing me on one side doesn't mean am supporting or opposing the others, Jose Gatutura is a Neutral based artist...We don't rely on payslips. We have bill to pay, family to feed and people around us who depend on us."

He added, "I believe no one will come just from nowhere and offer me some money without me giving out my services. Music is like any other business. Basically, yesterday's visit was all about music,how we can benefit from it and how the government can support us and the industry at large."

Still, thousands of fans found it hard to buy the narrative, with many slamming him for not heeding to Central Kenya's political mood.

George Waweru, a disgruntled fan, wrote: "It's either you are with the people or with the oppressive regime. We have so many other artists who chose to boycott. I think they also have bills and families who depends on them."

Gachoya Kariuki, another displeased fan, replied, "Being neutral Jose Gatutura would have meant avoiding all politically inclined events, whether government or wamunyoro. You should have stuck to performing in night clubs and promotion events to avoid hurting your fans from either side of politics."

Former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua also appeared to have been slighted by the move as he also added his voice to the growing chorus of dissatisfaction, rebuking the singers for trooping to Kindiki's home and going as far as asking them to either publicly apologise or face the collapse of their careers.

Speaking in Murang'a on Sunday, May 25, Gachagua claimed that the artists were paid Ksh. 50,000 each to visit the deputy president at his Karen residence on Friday, March 23.

"They went and were given Ksh50,000. The people they go to entertain are tired of the administration, yet they go and sit down with people who are still frustrating us, and so we should unfollow artists who don't apologise to the community," a furious Gachagua said.

Gachagua further stated that entertainment joints should also refrain from inviting musicians to their premises, and if the joints continue inviting them, people should also refrain from going there.

In response, a livid Kindiki lashed out at his predecessor regarding the bribery allegations.

While addressing small-scale traders' SACCOs during an economic empowerment programme in Kabete, Kiambu County, Kindiki expressed his frustration and emphasised that the government would not condone the political intolerance that he accused the former DP of promoting.

''For you, when you were a leader, whom did you bribe or take your wealth to? The little that we give is not because we have excess wealth; it is out of good-heartedness,'' Kindiki stated.

Kindiki also added that the artists had come to seek government support in dismantling exploitative cartels in the creative industry and ensuring fair compensation for their work.

“Musicians and others in the creative space are seeking government intervention to ensure exploitative cartels are removed and their talent is more rewarding,” he stated.

Political leaders that were also in attendance at the Karen gathering were Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a and her counterparts, John Njuguna Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Elijah Njoroge (Gatundu North), and Githua Wamacukuru (Kabete).