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National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has urged Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to ensure the safety and well-being of musicians, including protection of their businesses.
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Speaking on Sunday, Ichung’wah emphasized that musicians’ work should be treated with the same respect as any other profession, including those run by political leaders.
“We’re asking the Deputy President to shield our musicians and support their businesses. Their work is just like any other—we must respect it,” he said.
His remarks came in response to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s call for a boycott of Mt Kenya artists who recently met with Kindiki at his Karen residence. Gachagua accused them of betrayal and demanded they apologise to the community.
Ichung’wah criticized the move, warning against political intimidation aimed at artists for simply engaging with leaders who may have differing views. He called such actions divisive and unacceptable.
“No musician should be vilified for meeting the Deputy President. Leaders must not incite the public against our youth who are making a living through music—whether from Mt Kenya or elsewhere,” he said.
Kindiki, in turn, reaffirmed his support for musicians, pledging to defend their rights and end exploitation by intermediaries and collection agencies.
“I’ll keep advocating for fair treatment of our artists. Why should a talented musician earn less than a footballer or comedian? They deserve to benefit from their work and not be shortchanged by brokers or telecoms using Skiza,” said Kindiki.
Gachagua, during a church service in Murang’a County, had labeled the artists “traitors” for allegedly endorsing the government’s development narrative, claiming they misled the public. He instructed residents to shun their music, avoid events where they perform, and unfollow them on social media unless they apologise.
“I met with elders and they told me to announce—if these artists don’t apologise, we will stop supporting their work,” Gachagua declared.
