Kabogo Blames Himself Over Musician's Death

Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo presents his views to the Building Bridges Initiative team in Kiambu in February 2020
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo presents his views to the Building Bridges Initiative team in Kiambu in February 2020
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Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has opened up about deep-seated regrets.

Speaking during the first anniversary of the late Kikuyu musician John De Mathew's death, on Tuesday, August 18, he explained why he blamed himself for his death. 

Kabogo stated that the two were supposed to meet on the morning after the musician died in a road crash.

The late musician John De Mathew during a past performance
The late musician John De Mathew during a past performance
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"John excused himself from an event he was at because we had an early morning meeting and was later involved in an accident as he went home. 

"Sometimes I regret and ask myself whether he would have died if he hadn't excused himself to prepare for our meeting," Kabogo spoke as he asked the attendees to allow him to open up. 

Murang'a Woman Rep Sabina Chege who was in attendance gave an update of the promises President Uhuru Kenyatta had made at the musician's funeral. 

She stated that the government had already advertised for the tenders to construct the road which would be named after the late benga maestro.

The Head of State had also promised the construction of a state-of-the-art studio in Murang'a County to benefit talented musicians. 

The Woman Rep explained that the construction had already began in partnership with state broadcaster KBC

During De Mathew's burial, President Kenyatta castigated the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) for the meagre earning distributed to musicians and called for an audit into the organisation and arrest of corrupt MCSK officials.

Despite there being no arrests being made since, royalties paid to musicians and performers are set to increase after the sector was streamlined. 

In  January 2020, President Kenyatta announced the implementation of a new digital system, the National Rights Registry.

The digital monitoring system is expected to ensure fair pay according to the amount of airplay each artitste's music received. The involvement of multiple state agencies is also expected to increase collections by up to 10 times. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto at the funeral of the late John De Mathew
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto at the funeral of the late John De Mathew
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