Politicians campaigning for the forthcoming Kiambaa parliamentary and Muguga Ward seat by-elections on July 15, 2021, have devised ways to attract large crowds. This move has seen local musicians milk money from the campaigns.
This comes after the President extended a ban on all political gatherings on June 29, 2021, in a measure aimed at reducing social activities that could see an upsurge in COVID-19 numbers.
Musicians have been among the highest earners of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Jubilee Party ballot clash cashing in from the campaigns.
One of the artists, Nguraiya Junior, said that he took the initiative to campaign for the UDA candidate Njuguna Wanjiku because he has been a supporter of his since even before he joined politics.
Nguraiya confirmed that musicians had received payment for being curtain-raisers at the campaigns. This is associated with the huge crowds they attract while on the campaign trail.
Speaking further on his interactions with the aspiring politicians, the musician voiced his appreciation for the opportunity to engage in conversations with them that allowed him to air his grievances
He added that after a politician listens to artists, they feel indebted to helping in their campaigns. Some artists have even crafted songs praising the politicians that are eying these seats.
The Deputy President, Dr. William Ruto has been praised by artists campaigning for the UDA side. They claim that he has become accessible to upcoming artists after meeting and listening to their plight .
The DP has bailed out some artists when hardships struck and this is why Nguraiya feels that musicians feel indebted to him.
Other popular musicians have been tapped by politicians to pull crowds who turn out to listen to them perform and only after a crowd is formed do the politicians take to the podium.
The musicians include; Betty Bayo, Samuel Muchoki aka Samidoh, Franco wa Subu, Kuruga wa Wanjiku, Loise Kim, Austin Muturi, Milcha Njambai and John Njagi.
A musician by the name Muigai Njoroge has composed a song praising one of the parliamentary seat contestants through a popular song titled Irathiro ria Riua.
The song lyrics translate to “From the sunrise of the 15th to sunset, our candidate will have won” which usually sends the crowd into a frenzy.
