The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has told off
leaders calling for a boycott of some of the musicians from the Mt Kenya region
after they held a meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
This follows calls by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
asking the artists to apologise to the community or be boycotted and
unfollowed.
According to MCSK, they will not tolerate any economic sabotage
targeting its members.
“Let it be clearly stated that MCSK will not tolerate any
form of economic sabotage targeting our members,” Chief Executive Ezekiel Mutua
said.
He cautioned against bringing divisive politics into the source
of livelihoods of musicians.
The MCSK CEO said any establishment that will adhere to the
calls by the former DP to discriminate against artists will not be licensed by the
society.
“Any entertainment venue that complies with calls to
discriminate against our artists will not be authorised to play music licensed
by MCSK. Public performances constitute a vital source of income for our
artists, and introducing divisive political measures that threaten this
livelihood would be tantamount to destroying the very foundation of their
creative enterprise,” Mutua said.
He urged all entertainment establishments to reject the
unfortunate and potentially harmful boycott call, insisting that it undermines
fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression.
“We also call upon our artists to remain united and not
allow themselves to be divided by political interests. Their God-given talents
are invaluable, especially in these times of widespread despair caused by
ethnic tensions and divisive politics.”
On Sunday, Gachagua called on musicians from the Mt Kenya
region who visited Kindiki at his Karen residence to apologise to the
community.
Speaking at AIPCA Kihoya in Murang’a County, Gachagua stated
that these artists are traitors to the community.
“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.
Gachagua noted that after discussions with Mt Kenya
elders, they demand that the artists apologise to the community.
The former DP said that should they fail to, the community
should stop listening to their music and entertainment joints should stop
inviting them to perform.
He further directed the people to unfollow those who will
not apologise on social media platforms.
“I sat with elders yesterday and they told me to announce
that those artists must apologise and if they don’t, we will stop listening to
their music,” he said.
On Friday, the DP met leading musicians from Mt. Kenya at
the Official Residence in Karen for consultations and to find ways to solve
perennial issues, including low earnings and exploitation in the sector.
“The government will promote talents among Kenyans and
safeguard those who are talented against the cartels out to exploit them. We
will ensure that musicians get returns that are commensurate with their talent
and effort,” he indicated.
