The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has threatened to take action against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks targeting Mt Kenya musicians who visited his successor, Kithure Kindiki, in Karen over the weekend.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, MCSK noted that it had been monitoring public sentiments around the artistes, who now face backlash from the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), after Gachagua called for their boycott.
The agency condemned Gachagua’s comments, describing them as a form of economic sabotage that could destabilise the livelihoods of the affected musicians.
"The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has been closely monitoring the ongoing debate surrounding the group of Mt. Kenya artistes who met with the Deputy President over the past weekend. We are deeply concerned by the unfortunate calls from senior political leaders urging a boycott of our members' work, simply because they exercised their constitutional right to freedom of association by engaging in discussions on critical issues affecting the growth of the music industry," read the statement.
The statement said further, "Let it be clearly stated that MCSK will not tolerate any form of economic sabotage targeting our members. Any entertainment venue that complies with calls to discriminate against our artists will not be authorised to play music licensed by MCSK. Public performances constitute a vital source of income for our artistes, and introducing divisive political measures that threaten this livelihood would be tantamount to destroying the very foundation of their creative enterprise."
The organisation further urged venues and promoters to resist political pressure and support artists’ rights to perform and earn a living.
"We urge all entertainment establishments to reject this unfortunate and potentially harmful boycott call, which undermines fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression. We also call upon our artistes to remain united and not allow themselves to be divided by political interests."
"Their God-given talents are invaluable, especially in these times of widespread despair caused by ethnic tensions and divisive politics," MCSK said.
Gachagua had urged Mount Kenya residents to unfollow and stop listening to musicians who met the DP last week, among them Samidoh Muchoki, Karangu Muraya, Ben Githae, Jose Gatutura, DJ Fatxo, Sammy Irungu, Martin Wajanet, and Ngaruiya Junior.
Speaking in Murang'a on Sunday, May 25, Gachagua claimed that elders from the region have urged the musicians, whom they claim betrayed the community, to either apologise to the people of the region or face repercussions.
On Sunday, DP Kindiki also blasted Gachagua regarding allegations that he bribed Kikuyu musicians to attend the event at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.
While addressing small-scale traders' SACCOs during an economic empowerment programme in Kabete, Kiambu County, Kindiki expressed his frustration and emphasised that the government would not condone the political intolerance that he accuses the former DP of promoting.
