Image: Instagram
Spoiler alert! Even before the article goes far just know that if you came here expecting a long list, well you won't get one.
We all know most of our politicians do not care much about talents and that is probably why we do not have county sponsored facilities, to help nurture and promote talents.
In Kenya, musicians only become important during campaign period.
This is when politicians invest in catchy campaign songs before lying they will in turn promote such musicians after they are elected. But those promises die on the ballot.
However, there are a few politicians who love music and appreciate the art as a whole.
Such politicians don't view musicians as a tool to drive their agendas but people who are using their God given talents to make ends meet.
Knowing how challenged the music industry is, they always try to hold a few musicians' hands and help them realize their dreams.
Below are the only few politicians who selflessly support local artists;
1. Hassan Joho
Sultan is a known philanthropist and his giving hand also spreads to artists.
While speaking in an interview with Massawe Japanni, Masauti revealed that Joho paid for a number of his music videos.
He said that he met Joho ahuge fan of his work in Mombasa when he was working with Natasha Donna. It is then when the Mombasa governor offered to finance a number of his projects.
2. Johnson Sakaja
When Ethic and the likes of Ochungulo were cropping up, not many supported their art thanks to their content.
But when Sakaja was hosted by Radio Citizen sometime last year, he vehemently supported their craft saying that Kenyans must support young artists.
“It’s (Figa) become a very popular song, the video was done very well. There are people who might debate the content, but I think it’s expression and it’s art and we must support our young artists,” the former rapper was quoted by edaily.
3. Mike Sonko
Image: Instagram
A few days ago, Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko hosted fast rising gengetone group, Mbogi Genje.
In their meeting, Sonko who's goal is to nurture local artists, promised to hold the Umoja based group's by empowering them with a new MacBook Pro laptop.
The laptop would come in handy while editing their work. The governor also vowed to set up a fully equipped recording studio for them.
Few days later the governor delivered on his promise as his officials handed the MacBook Pro to the Kidungi hitmakers.
Taking to his socials, Sonko wrote,
In keeping with my commitment to support our artists and nurture talent in Nairobi especially during the hard times occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, today I'm delivering the promise I made to Mbogi Genje Music Group from Umoja. Empowering them with a brand New MacBook Pro which they will be using to edit their work before setting up a fully equipped recording studio for them.The group currently has written 10 new songs, and I will support the production of all them.
4. Honorable mentions
The likes of Senator Kangata and Gatundu South MP, Moses Kuria have also played a role in supporting local artists.
Before Corona ruined everything, they would frequent numerous mugithi shows.
There you go folks, I warned you the list is shorter than a pig's tail.
