Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, Mr. Dennis Itumbi, has fired a warning shot at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following his remarks on Mt. Kenya region artists who paid DP Kindiki a visit at his Karen home.
According to Itumbi, Gachagua went beyond bounds by calling out the artists, who he said had the right to support government programs aimed at uplifting the creative industry.
“We strongly defend Kenya’s musicians, following the disgraceful, dangerous, and outright dictatorial remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” said Itumbi. Adding that, “That Mr. Gachagua would stand at a church altar and shamelessly urge Kenyans to unfollow musicians and instruct event venues to deny them work—simply because they supported reason, truth, and government programs meant to uplift the industry—is not just offensive. It is tyrannical.”
Seemingly unhappy with the former DP, Itumbi reiterated that Gachagua does not play a role in the making of Kenyan musicians nor does he “own their voices, or their convictions.” He further warned Kenyans to disassociate themselves from the DCP leader, saying that he was a dictator-in-waiting.
He, however, affirmed that the creative sector has a dedicated State Department and that government programs are designed to secure artists’ rights and improve their earnings.
On Sunday, in what was seen as a political clash, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, in defense of the artists, blasted Rigathi Gachagua, vowing to deal with him.
“Some people have become arrogant, lecturing everyone—musicians, politicians. Who do they think they are?” Kindiki said. “You cannot dictate to citizens like that. If you come within shooting range, we will deal with you.”
“I will continue defending our musicians. Shouldn’t they enjoy the fruit of their talents like footballers do? Why should artists suffer?” he asked.
During a church service in Murang’a, Gachagua went guns blazing on the musicians, maintaining that the mountain region must cut ties with the Kenya Kwanza administration. He added that Kikuyu elders demanded an apology from the artists, who were now considered traitors.
He further called on the Kikuyu community to desist from listening to their songs and boycott music shows graced by them.
“Our artists and musicians have become traitors to the community. They were told to come and lie to you that SHA is working, roads are being built, and the education sector is doing well,” Gachagua said.
“I sat with elders yesterday and they told me to announce that those artists must apologize and if they don’t, we will stop listening to their music,” he said.
