National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has urged Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to take decisive steps to protect musicians and their businesses amid growing tensions in the Mt Kenya region. Speaking on Sunday, Ichung’wah emphasized that musicians’ work and enterprises deserve the same respect and protection as any other business.
“I want to ask the Deputy President to protect our musicians and guard their businesses because work is work. Their jobs are businesses just like mine and yours,” Ichung’wah stated. His remarks come in response to recent calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to boycott certain musicians from Mt Kenya after they held a meeting with Deputy President Kindiki.
Ichung’wah cautioned leaders against accusing or threatening musicians simply because they associate with individuals who hold different political views. He insisted that the country must not tolerate any form of incitement against musicians, regardless of their origin or affiliations.
“We as leaders should not accuse musicians of wrongdoing when they meet the Deputy President. That is wrong, and we must not allow incitement against our children who are working as musicians, be they from Mt Kenya or any other part of the country,” Ichung’wah stressed.
In his response, Deputy President Kindiki pledged to safeguard musicians’ interests and put an end to exploitation by middlemen and Collective Management Organisations (CMOs). He vowed to ensure that musicians receive their rightful earnings.
“I will continue to advocate for these musicians to get their rights. Why should a musician who God has given talent, like a footballer or a comedian, be oppressed by brokers and phone companies using their Skiza? They must get their rights,” Kindiki declared.
On the other hand, Rigathi Gachagua criticized the musicians who visited Kindiki at his Karen residence, labeling them “traitors to the community.” Speaking at AIPCA Kihoya in Murang’a County, Gachagua claimed these artists misled the community by praising the current leadership’s performance in areas such as infrastructure and education.
Gachagua urged the musicians to apologize to the Mt Kenya community, warning that failure to do so should result in boycotts by listeners and entertainment venues.
The dispute highlights the fragile intersection between politics and the creative industry in Kenya, underscoring the urgent need for leadership to protect artists from political exploitation and ensure their economic rights are upheld.
