Content creators dismiss Gachagua's call to boycott artists who met DP Kindiki
The Digital Content Creators Association of Kenya (DCCAK) termed Gachagua's comments as not only regressive but also a direct affront to the constitutional freedoms.
Content creators in the country have condemned comments by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who called for the boycott of Kenyan artists who met with DP Kithure Kindiki.
The Digital Content Creators Association of Kenya (DCCAK) termed Gachagua's comments as not only regressive but also a direct affront to the constitutional freedoms of expression, creativity, and enterprise.
"We are deeply disturbed by remarks made today by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who, from the altar of a church, openly called for the boycott of Kenyan artists and the silencing of their voices unless they sing in his praise," said the statement by the association's chair, Bob Ndolo.
Ndolo said it is profoundly unfortunate that at a time when Kenya is working to dismantle barriers that have long denied artists their rightful income, a former Deputy President would threaten private entertainment businesses with commercial consequences.
"Such pronouncements reek of dictatorship, intolerance, and a disturbing sense of entitlement to control thought and culture in Mt. Kenya and beyond," added Ndolo.
"Art is not a weapon to be wielded by political interests. It is the mirror through which society sees itself, the laughter, the sorrow, the truth, and the dreams of a people. To reduce it to a mouthpiece of praise for any one man is to betray the very soul of the nation."
The association said Kenya's Constitution guarantees artistic freedoms, adding that they are not negotiable.
"We remind Mr. Gachagua and others with similar authoritarian fantasies that artistic freedoms are not privileges to be granted at will they are constitutional rights protected under Article 33 and 40 of the Constitution of Kenya. These freedoms are neither conditional nor negotiable," said the statement.
Additionally, it called on artists to continue "composing boldly", "speaking truth to power," and "uplifting communities through creativity".
Artists were also urged to use their talents to educate the public on critical national programmes like the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Housing and Hustler Fund.
"To Rigathi Gachagua, we say this: Kenyan artists are not your subjects. They will not bow to your tune, nor will they seek your permission to speak. Their talent is God-given, not Gachagua-granted," explained the statement.
"Kenya is a democracy, not a dictatorship of one man's ego."
The statement comes after Gachagua slammed Friday's meeting between several artists from the Mt. Kenya region and DP Kindiki.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) boss had called for the boycott of the music of artists who went to Kindiki’s home.
"Those who went to Ruto to ask for forgiveness, if not, I'll order no one to listen to their music and no clubs will invite them to perform," said Gachagua.
Among those in attendance was celebrated Mugithi singer Samidoh, whose real name is Samuel Muchoki Ndirangu.
