A Kenyan Luo Benga musician has fled to Tanzania fearing for his life after producing a song praising President Uhuru Kenyatta and bashing National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga.
Tom Mboya Ang’ang’a alias Atomy Sifa in collaboration with Tede ja Kenya released a song titled Uhuru Nyale (Uhuru is Capable) that called on members of the Luo community to withdraw support for the NASA leader and back President Kenyatta.
One of the lines in the song urges: "Joluo ugaloru mojoga ubiro luwo ng’ani nyaka kar ang’o (Luos, you shouldn’t be wasted. Until when will you follow this person)?"
The song goes on to blame Mr Odinga for the problems facing the Luo Community, accusing him of not initiating any meaningful projects during his tenure as Prime Minister and Head of Government.
Mr Sifa told the Nation that he has been forced to leave the country after receiving threatening phone calls.
"People called me, threatening that they will kill me for insulting Raila Odinga in the song," he explained.
In his defence, the musician claimed that he was not involved in composing the song, saying that he had only joined Tede for the video clip.
"I never knew what the song was all about. I was invited to be part of the video but later realised it was disparaging Mr Odinga.
"You know that I have composed more than four songs for Mr Odinga and I cannot compose a song calling him names," he argued.
His explanation has, however, fallen on deaf ears as his peers have disowned the artiste labelling him a traitor.
"We have disowned Mr Sifa for composing a song which is shameful at a time the region’s political kingpin seeks the highest office in the land," one Small Otieno accused.
Close relatives have defended the musician, saying that he has the creative freedom to compose songs that will earn him money.
"He has been praising Mr Odinga in his songs for years and he has got nothing to show for it. What is wrong when he praises President Uhuru," defended Ms Jael Achieng’, a close relative of the musician.
[caption caption="Atomy Sifa, Luo Benga artiste who has fled to Tanzania after composing an anti-Raila song."]
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