Music meets politics: Content creators slam Gachagua’s call to boycott musicians who met Kindiki

Content creators have criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for urging Mt Kenya residents to boycott musicians who recently met Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, apparently to discuss challenges facing the creative industry, including exploitation by cartels.

“The creative industry is a multibillion shilling business, and constant engagement with performing artistes and all those in that space is imperative to find ways of supporting them through policy and protection of intellectual property rights,” Kindiki said at the meeting last week.

But Gachagua condemned the musicians’ visit to Kindiki’s home, calling it a betrayal of the community and urging Mt Kenya residents to boycott their music.

“Those who went to Ruto must ask for forgiveness, if not, I’ll order that no one listens to their music and no clubs will invite them to perform,” Gachagua said.

He further accused an unnamed musician of spreading falsehoods against him and his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

In response, the Digital Content Creators Association of Kenya (DCCAK) condemned Gachagua’s remarks, describing them as regressive and a blatant attack on artistic freedom and constitutional rights.

Through its chairman, Bob Ndolo, DCCAK accused the former Deputy President of attempting to silence artistic voices and weaponise culture for political gain.

“It is profoundly unfortunate that at a time when Kenya is working to dismantle barriers that have long denied our artistes their rightful income, a former Deputy President would threaten private entertainment businesses unless they deny artists the right to earn a living,” Ndolo said.

He stressed that artistic expression is guaranteed under Articles 33 and 40 of the Constitution of Kenya, emphasising that these rights are neither conditional nor negotiable.

“To Rigathi Gachagua, we say this: Kenyan artistes are not your subjects. They will not bow to your tune, nor will they seek your permission to speak. Their talent is God-given, not Gachagua-granted,” Ndolo said.

DCCAK urged artists to continue creating boldly, speaking truth to power, uplifting communities, and educating the public on critical issues such as the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), housing, and the Hustler Fund.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• content creators
• Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
• Democracy for the Citizens Party
• DCP
• Digital Content Creators Association of Keny
• Kenyn musicians
• Music meets politics: Content creators slam Gachagua’s call to boycott musicians who met Kindiki
• Politics