President William Ruto’s aide Dennis Itumbi has slammed former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, following his controversial remarks, asking Kenyans to stop supporting musicians.
Gachagua asked his supporters to unfollow musicians and encouraged event organizers to deny them work.
In a strongly worded response, Itumbi, the Head of President’s Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination at the president’s office, lashed out at Gachagua over the remarks.
“Mr. Gachagua would stand at a church altar and shamelessly urge Kenyans to unfollow musicians and instruct event venues to deny them work-simply because they supported reason, truth, and government programs meant to uplift the industry, is not just offensive. It is tyrannical.
“Let us be clear: Kenyan musicians are not your personal choir, Mr. Gachagua. You do not own their voices, their choices, or their convictions,’ read the statement in part.
Also Read: Content Creators Blast Gachagua, Take Stand on Supporting Ruto
Itumbi Defends Content Creators
Additionally, the letter warned Gachagua against using artists to stamp his authoritarianism.
“Kenyan musicians are not pawns in your bitter games. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, and cultural custodians whose talents are God-given-not Gachagua-sanctioned,” added Itumbi.
According to the statement, Gachagua’s remarks came from frustrations that many musicians had embraced government-backed creative economy reforms, which Ruto’s government has heavily invested in.
Itumbi noted that under Ruto’s administration, the creative industry enjoys structured policy support, artist protections, and programmes to boost income and digital distribution for musicians and creators.
Additionally, he has stated that the former deputy president made economically reckless, politically desperate, and spiritually dishonest statements.
“Let’s not forget, it was you who once said, “When people cannot speak, let them sing.” Now that the songs don’t flatter you, you reach for the mute button?
“That’s not leadership. That’s hypocrisy, loud, proud, and unmasked,” stated Itumbi.
Also read: Gachagua Names Leaders Barred from Contesting on DCP Party Ticket
What Did Gachagua Say?
Speaking at a rally in Murang’a on Sunday, May 25, Gachagua accused the musicians of betraying their community by visiting Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who he claimed did not support the region’s interests.
The musicians who visited Kindiki at his Karen home on May 23 include Samidoh Muchoki, Karangu Muraya, Ben Githae, Jose Gatutura, DJ Fatxo, Sammy Irungu, Martin Wajanet, and Ngaruiya Junior.
Moreover, Gachagua claimed that each of them was paid Ksh50,000 to attend the meeting.
“They were paid to sit with people who work against us,” he told the crowd.
He added that community elders had agreed to take action against the artists. Unless they apologise, Gachagua said people should stop listening to their music, unfollow them on social media, and avoid attending their shows.
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