Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua has come to the rescue of Kiptoo Rop, an Eldoret-based music producer who was forced to close down his studio due to financial constraints.
Rop's story was aired on Citizen TV on Sunday, June 14, as he opened up on the struggles he has faced since the pandemic hit the country in March.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Mutua detailed the support that the board offered to Rop since his story was aired and promised much more.
"What we have committed is settling him down which is about Ksh100,000 or so by the time we are done because we do not know if he had arrears and today the masks and sanitisers cost about Ksh10,000.
"We have heard that he is a good producer, we can engage him as a brand ambassador and be giving him support," noted Mutua.
The KFCB CEO also noted that Rop, whose business partner quit, was paying Ksh15,000 per month in rent and his attempts to renegotiate his rental terms were unsuccessful.
Mutua assisted Rop in reclaiming his studio space after watching the touching story.
"I have managed to speak to him and the KFCB North Rift Regional Manager Emmanuel Mbutu and we have agreed to help him go back to his studio.
"Such talented artistes with a positive attitude are the kind we promote. Rather than sit and complain, Rop did what a man has to do to feed his family. This is commendable," noted Mutua.
Kiptoo was forced to turn his bedroom at home to his new studio due to few artists recording songs which impacted him financially.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has made me work from home because I lacked rent," noted the music producer.
Mwalimu Kendagor, an artist explained some of the challenges faced by Kiptoo but added that he has no other option but adapt to the tough times.
"It's not that easy allowing another man into your bedroom but he has no option and has to do it for the sake of survival," noted the artist.
The 30-year-old who is the breadwinner of the family has also had to adapt to irregular sleeping partners just to ensure he satisfies his clients.
"A bedroom is a private place and sometimes its bedtime but you still have a client who wants to finish his recording," he stated.
Kendagor, Rop's client also decried the money promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta to cushion Kenyan artists during the pandemic.
Artists and neighbours have raised concerns about the risk of Covid-19 that they are exposed to with different people from various areas visiting the studio.
Rop's wife, Christine explained how having a young child has posed challenges to the family with the studio now being stationed in the bedroom
"When he is working, it forces me to take the baby outdoors because of the noise when crying," noted Christine.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/H7EZAk4qjyQ.jpg?itok=m_XFb9_v","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
