As some sing praises for politicians, here are true Kenyan artists addressing political issues through music

 Eric Wainanina: His song ‘nchi ya kitu kidogo’ addressed the rampant corruption in the country

Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo- Eric Wainaina

The song was one of the boldest critiques by a Kenyan singer, and for that matter a young one then. The song featured clips of police officers receiving bribes from matatu operators.

Eric Wainaina who was then clean-shaven and reverberating with energy talked about corruption and impunity in a way no other musician had ever done. He was bold and direct. Released in 2001, it won Eric countrywide respect that saw him being appointed Ambassador for a number of human rights’ NGOS.

The song was not played on KBC, and efforts were made to silence the singer.

Utawala - Juliani

‘Niko njaa hata siezi karanga. Hohe hahe shaghala bhaghala. Niko tayari, kulipa gharama. Sitasimama maovu yakitawala,” were the iconic lyrics to this emotional anthem by Juliani.

This is a powerful piece that evoked patriotic emotions back in 2013. It is still a masterpiece. Featuring Kenyans from all walks of life miming to the lyrics, this was another masterpiece for a people that have been waiting for positive change for so long, decades in fact.

It also features archived footage of a young current Starehe Parliamentary aspirant Boniface Mwangi leading protests and being manhandled by security agents.

Juliani, one of the most recognisable conscious rappers, managed to capture the mood of the majority with that hook and set a new political debate against ‘dirty’ politics.

Siasa Duni – Susumila

Susu’s first major hit, the song was one of the first songs from Mombasa that was not a club banger to go national. The song was such a hit, the artiste had to shoot a more serious video for the song in 2012, years after the song dropped.

“Siku nyingi tumeketi tunawacheki hao, aisee, kwa nini wanatufanya sisi kama watumwa wao,” he sings. The song is another example of how contemporary artiste can wrap a message of hopelessness and constant disappointments into a serious song.

Wakenya Pamoja - various artistes

A brainchild of celebrated gospel artiste and producer R Kay, the song was released in late January of 2008, when the country was going through post-elections violence. With no single calming voice in the smoke and darkness that engulfed the country, the artistes managed to record and release the song to critical reception. It was played on all TV channels and radio stations.

The song captured the spirit of integration needed, featuring artistes from all corners, tribes, genres and religions.

Mungu Baba- Rufftone and GSU

Released weeks to the 2013 elections, the song became a massive hit. Mr Iggy managed to record the mammoth GSU plus the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya and the Tuvuke Peace initiative. The song is a prayer calling for the good Lord to protect the country and foster love because only He can. Its rich video fused footage from the singers with colourful, picturesque scenes across our beautiful country.

Daima Mimi Mkenya - Eric Wainaina

Another gem from the dark times of early 2008, Eric wet soulful, giving his pledge to the country and its people. The song was another calming piece of poetry, a song that talked to your heart.

Working with children from Shangilia for a video, the song was used extensively to bring back sanity to a beautiful land that was rapidly consuming itself after the 2007elections.

System ya Majambazi - Mashifta

In the midst of one-party rule in the 1990s, rap was part of the struggle for a better country. The hungry, rebellious and experimental young men and women from Dandora and other Nairobi neighbourhoods opted for the studios to speak their minds out. The duo of Kitu Sewer and the late G-Wiji were notorious for their exemplary use of the genre to talk about the ills in society.