Singer Jaguar: I would rather quit Nacada than erode my dignity

By Pulse Team | 8yrs ago | 3 min read

Jaguar’s new song Barua kwa Rais is nothing like his previous hit Kipepeo, a love song whose lyrics evoke warm emotions.

It echoes a similar message he seemed to pass in Kigeugeu and Matapeli and more so the latter, a single that talks about widespread corruption in the country. This time, the song is a deep letter directed to the President.

“Hata mvua haijanyesha mwaka jana, mifuko yetu nayo imekosa nyasi, chakula cha msaada hakitufikii. Mke wangu naye alizalia njiani sababu huku hospitali iko mbali na ni moja,” Jaguar starts before Sudi Boy takes the cue.

“Tunatamani tukuone, tukuone Rais, ili si nawe tubonge yanayotusonga sisi,” his refrain goes.

The song was released only weeks after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the singer as a National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) board member, an appointment that some critics viewed as a reward since Jaguar is one of the closest Kenyan stars to the president.

But Jaguar pulled a shocker. Speaking to the Press, the star threatened to quit the Nacada board alleging that some Nacada officials had plunged the authority into deep corruption. He wanted Sh500 million to be accounted for.

“There is deep-rooted corruption in this country and unless someone blows the whistle on some of these things, nothing will change. I can’t sit here and watch corruption prevail,” Jaguar told Pulse this week when we interviewed him on the real issues that seems to have gotten him in trouble with some Nacada officials, even splitting the board into two opposing factions.

“The issue of alcohol and drug abuse is a big monster affecting the youth. I have suffered from drug abuse before so I know what I am saying. Over the years, I have been helping rehabilitate youth involved in this vice and I would rather continue doing the same outside the Nacada docket if that works better,” he reiterates.

Asked why he spoke out instead of tackling the issues quietly within the board, Jaguar said a lot had happened behind the scenes before it all erupted.

“I meant no disrespect. I have been at war with this drugs issue for long. In fact, I have put a lot of the money in educating the youth, especially those in the slums, on the dangers of substance abuse as well as getting into crime,” he firmly adds.

“I am not playing politics. At the end of the day, I am a singer and a role model. Being a role model is the reason I was appointed, not politics. After I am done with Nacada, I will still be a musician. I have to guard my fans. That is why I said I would rather quit than end up eroding my moral dignity,” he says.

Asked whether he had discussed the issue with the President, Jaguar told Pulse the whole matter was being looked into through the right procedures.

“After I said I would resign, I was called from a higher office and asked to fight from within. The board was called the next day and a decision was made. Then the President took action and you saw how the fight against alcohol abuse and second generation spirits became so intense,” Jaguar told Pulse.

So what is his comment on the ongoing crackdown on second generation illicit brew? “I am not saying young people should stop drinking but they should do so with care as the destiny of this country is in their hands,” he concluded.