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Eric Wainaina dives into gay debate with startling remarks


Kenya’s highly respected musician, Eric Wainaina, has made some shocking remarks about the ever emotive gay debate.

The Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo singer has surprised many with revelations that he has many gay friends, stating that it is no one’s business who a person decides to love.

“A lot of our colleagues are gay, who someone chooses to love has nothing to do you, concern yourself with things that do. We have to play our part in defining African present, and future agenda; we can’t let the agenda be decided by the conservative, polyester, oversized suit, bald headed men,” Wainaina has said.

The artiste made the remarks while delivering a keynote address during a three-day Pan-African Conference at the Kenya National Theater in Nairobi at the weekend.

SENSITIVE TOPIC

Although the Music in Africa Conference For Collaborations, Exchange And Showcases (ACCESS) is more about the business of music, Wainaina choose the platform to speak about the sensitive subject.

At the opening of the conference the singer was feted with the 2018 Music In Africa Honorary Award.

Wainaina also performed at the opening night concert on Thursday to a standing ovation.

The conference brings together music industry players from over 10 countries.

Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina during a live performance. PHOTO | COURTESY
Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina during a live performance. PHOTO | COURTESY

STANDING OVATION

The award, given out by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), aims to recognise the outstanding contribution of notable musicians to their home country’s industry and that of Africa as a whole.

Last year’s award went to Baaba Maal, the Senegalese legend whose country ACCESS visited last year. Outgoing MIAF chairperson Aisha Deme accepted the award on Maal’s behalf on Thursday night.

ACCES is a pan-African event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe.

ACCES 2018 is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation is partnership with Goethe-Institut, Siemens Stiftung, Kenya’s Permanent Presidential Music Commission, MagicalKenya and the Kenya Cultural Centre.