Popular Kikuyu gospel musician Ben Githae has publicly apologised to Kenyans particularly the ever-vocal Generation Z following a social media storm that erupted after his controversial visit to State House earlier this year.
Githae, known for his politically charged songs, appeared on a local radio station on June 19 and admitted he had endured an overwhelming amount of backlash in recent weeks. In a candid moment, he expressed exhaustion from the relentless criticism, colloquially referred to as “greetings” a Kenyan slang term for the barrage of phone calls, messages, and social media mentions aimed at public figures perceived to have aligned themselves with unpopular decisions or leadership.
“I surrender. I don’t want any more greetings, you’ve greeted me enough these past three weeks,” Githae said, before offering a heartfelt apology. “If I’ve wronged you in any way, I sincerely apologise.”
Githae, alongside fellow Kikuyu artists Karangu Muraya and Samidoh, visited State House in early May for a meeting with President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. The agenda, they claimed, was to discuss support for the music industry. However, the optics of the meeting were widely criticised, with many accusing the trio of participating in a political public relations stunt, especially at a time when many youths were protesting against the government’s economic policies and broken promises.
Generation Z, leading what many have dubbed Kenya’s “digital revolution,” took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to hold Githae and his peers accountable. The youth, increasingly assertive in civic matters, have demanded authenticity and nonpartisanship from public figures especially those with significant influence in music and culture.
This apology from Githae signals the growing pressure on Kenyan celebrities to align with the people’s frustrations rather than political power. In the age of digital accountability, it is clear that no public figure is immune to “greetings” when they’re seen to ignore or undermine the voice of the people.
