A popular Kenyan Disc Jockey (DJ) has responded after being named among the artists who performed on Thursday, December 12, 2024, during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebration. Joseph Mwenda, popularly known as DJ Joe Mfalme, reacted strongly after being included in the list of Kenyan artists who performed for President William Ruto and other guests during this year’s Jamhuri celebrations at the Uhuru Gardens Museum and National Monument in Nairobi.
Despite calls for a boycott from a section of Kenyans, several artists went ahead with their performances.
The star-studded lineup included Jua Cali, Mejja, Esther Wahome, Daddy Owen, and Jaguar, who thrilled thousands of fans marking the country’s 61st independence anniversary.
Other artists who defied the odds and performed at the event were Kenyan rapper Dennis Kaggia (DNA), Gidi Gidi, and Maji Maji.
After the event, DJ Joe Mfalme responded to a Kenyan who had listed him among the performers, expressing his dismay and asking for his name to be removed.
“I am inside my house and you’re saying I’m at Uhuru Gardens? Kindly remove my name from this post and verify the information before posting. Don’t just post because you’ve been paid,” Mfalme said.
Joe Mfalme speaks after artists defied threats
The DJ’s remarks came after fellow artists performed following warnings from Kenyans on social media platforms who criticized them for their willingness to entertain what was perceived as the “corrupt political class.”
Social media user Francis Gaitho who was among Kenyans who criticized the performers dared artists with the “guts” to perform at the event had warned that doing so could spell the end of their careers.
“The artists who dare perform tomorrow at Jamhuri Day celebrations; you’ve been warned,” Francis Gaitho posed.
Also Read: Artists Defy Boycott Calls to Entertain Ruto
During the Jamhuri day celebrations, Genge artist Mejja electrified the crowd with powerful performances of his popular hits “Double Tap,” “Karibu Kenya,” and “Jana Kuliendaje.”
Esther Wahome on her part performed her Kuna Dawa song, while Kenyan legendary musician, Mr Lenny performed his song, Leo.
Juacali entertained the guests present at Uhuru Gardens with his song Kwaheri where he featured Sana and Bidii Yangu while Kenyan rapper DNA joined the lineup with his songs Banjuka Juu, Maswali ya Polisi, Twendelee Ama Tusiendelee, Swim Swim, Muziki Ni bomba and Chapa (Fimbo ya pili).
Road to be named after E-Sir
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also announced that several roads in Nairobi will be renamed after legendary Kenyan artists.
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Sakaja who was speaking during the event pointed out that the late legendary Kenyan Musician Issah Mmari better known by his stage name E-Sir, will have a road named after him in Nairobi.
He revealed that a road within the city’s South C neighborhood will be named after E-Sir, arguably one of the region’s greatest and most influential rappers of all time.
“We shall be honoring our artists by renaming some of the roads. One of the roads in South C will be re-named after the great hero E-Sir,” Sakaja said.
In 2022, acclaimed musician Nameless petitioned Governor Sakaja to immortalize the late rap legend who died in a road accident back in 2003 by naming a road or street in South C after him.
Nameless, who was with E-sir at the time of the accident that claimed his life, launched the petition online and it garnered thousands of signatures at the time.
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