The Music Copyright Society of Kenya has condemned calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to boycott musicians from the Mt Kenya region, warning entertainment venues that they risk losing access to licensed music if they comply.
Gachagua, speaking during a church service on Sunday, May 25, accused the artists of betrayal after they visited Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at his Karen home over the weekend.
He urged supporters to stop attending their shows and unfollow them online.
“Tuwache kusikiza nyimbo zao,” said Gachagua, which translates to “Let us stop listening to their songs.”
In a statement on Monday, May 26, Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua said any attempt to economically sabotage the artists would not be tolerated.
“Any entertainment venue that complies with calls to discriminate against our artists will not be authorised to play music licensed by MCSK,” said Mutua.
He noted that the artists had met with Kindiki to discuss challenges in the music industry, including what the deputy president described as “exploitative cartels.”
“The creative industry is a multibillion shilling business, and constant engagement with performing artists and all those in that space is imperative to find ways of supporting them through policy and protection of intellectual property rights,” said Kindiki.
The MCSK said political interference in the creative sector was dangerous and undermined the rights of artists to associate freely.
“Public performances constitute a vital source of income for our artists, and introducing divisive political measures that threaten this livelihood would be tantamount to destroying the very foundation of their creative enterprise,” said Mutua.
He urged artists to remain united, warning that the society would act against any discrimination.
“MCSK will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take all necessary measures to ensure that any discrimination against our artists is appropriately addressed and sanctioned,” he added.
During the meeting at Kindiki’s residence, the musicians also spoke about their support for the new Social Health Insurance Fund.
Gachagua has since accused one of the artists of falsely claiming that he blocked their bid to run for Parliament, adding that the person lacked the qualifications to lead.
“Imagine one musician went to accuse me of Mr Yes Sir, that I denied him a chance to vie for MP… A standard two drop up wants to be an MP… A person who doesn’t know even one word in English to be people’s representative?” claimed Gachagua.
MCSK urged entertainment venues and the public to reject what it described as “divisive and harmful” political interference in the arts.
