Nairobi News

For the second time in as many months, President Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed his willingness to meet Kenyans musicians to know what ails the industry.

The president first spoke about the issue during the funeral of benga singer Joseph Kamaru in October 2018.

On Saturday, during the funeral of former Youth Enterprise Development Fund boss Bruce Odhiambo, the president not only reiterated his remarks but also ordered State House Director of Brand Strategy and Events, Thomas Kwaka ‘Big Ted’ to arrange the meeting.

“Arrange and bring them to State House if that is what you want so that we can talk and discuss the future of the music industry in the country,” the president said.

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The president has listened to the plight of Kenyan musicians & has asked for a meeting with them ?? #PlayKenyanMusic is working & needs to continue this can even change the economy if people understand the business side of music. So many young people can get employed if the industry opens up. I hope Big Ted gets them a meeting fast that’s solution oriented. People in parliament & in the senate need to push for this agenda too. Jaguar. KJ. Babu Owino. Sakaja and others. It’s a collective fight for the good of our country mziki ichewze ??

A post shared by MisUnderstood ??? (@joewmuchiri) on Jan 20, 2019 at 1:09am PST

The president however told the artistes that should Big Ted fail to deliver, then he won’t take the blame.

In the past month, Kenyan artistes have had a back and forth debate with Kenyan media houses over the airtime allocated for their content.

The local artistes are particularly unhappy with the vast airplay that Bongo and Nigerian artistes continue to get on Kenyan radio and TV stations.

The debate has been raging on and on with either side throwing shade at and apportioning blame on the other side.

It however remains to be seen if the musicians will be sufficiently pacified if and when they meet the president.