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Exclusive: Defiant Smallz Lethal speaks about song that landed him in trouble with Kisii governor

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 Smallz Lethal and Governor James Ongwae.

Rapper Smallz Lethal has accused the police of intimidation following arrest over his hard-hitting ‘I’m Offended’ song criticising Kisii Governor James Ongwae’s leadership of the county.  Speaking to SDE on phone, Small Lethal revealed that he was arrested on April 27 and taken to Kisii Central Police Station where he was interrogated for hours for allegedly defaming the county boss in the song.

According to the rapper, he rejected a reimbursement offer in exchange for pulling down the song from YouTube.

“I don’t know who sent them. When they told me to pull down the song, I told them to contact my manager as I didn’t have access to my YouTube channel,” said the rapper.

READ ALSO: Smallz Lethal calls out Rabbit for disrespecting legends

“I was told ‘mkubwa amekasirika’... In short, they wanted the video deleted from YouTube saying that they will reimburse the money used for the project. Thanks to Lawyer Sylvanus Osoro, we were able to pin them to a ‘no criminal element’ case, thus we will not be intimidated to bring the video down,” he wrote on social media after his release.

I’m Offended

In the song at the centre of the storm, the rapper accuses Governor Ongwae of underperforming and letting down his electorate. Smallz Lethal decries the poor state of roads in Nyanchwa region and castigates citizens for worshipping politicians.

“Mbona wananchi mnaabudu mheshimiwa, wakati mheshimiwa hakuna kazi anafanya?” poses the rapper.

 Smallz Lethal. Photo: Courtesy.

Small Lethal also calls out the county sports ministry over alleged inaction in holding tournaments and concerts to nurture youths’ talent within the county.

“Waziri wa mchezo, waziri una mchezo, waziri utatunzaje hizi talanta za kesho?” he raps.

According to the rapper, he is using his music to highlight the plight of the youth and hopes that in future, more young people will come forth and speak out against injustices in society.  

READ ALSO: Smallz Lethal blasts radio presenter for 'asking for gifts' and being 'mean' on air

“It’s not just me. Many youths in Kisii are offended because we are not seeing development yet the county government is collecting taxes. We have poor roads, no markets; there’s much to talk about,” he told SDE.

Musical activism

By releasing the song, Smallz Lethal joined an outspoken pantheon of musicians speaking out on ills and injustices in society.

In Tujiangalie, meaning self-reflection, celebrated Kenya band, Sauti Sol, alongside Nyashinski spoke out on how corruption is threatening Kenya’s progress.  Comparing past and present, the song says that Kenya is currently in a worse state.

Rapper King Kaka took the country by storm after releasing his critically acclaimed hit Wajinga Nyinyi reprimanding Kenyans for their hypocrisy. In the bare-knuckle message delivered in his trademark poetic style, the rapper decried rampant corruption, boldly saying that the country is run by thieves. The no holds barred song provoked some political and religious leaders who responded fiercely through social media platforms.

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