Singing different tunes

By STEVENS MUENDO

The beauty of democracy is that it affords everyone celebs included, with a number of liberties including the freedom to free expression and association.

It is at the French Cultural Centre; the lights at the auditorium suddenly go dim. There is silence. It is not the usual blackout that Kenyans have learnt to live with. Actually, it is a beginning of a new dawn. The lighting is to symbolize the ushering of a new awakening.

In seconds, the sound of the new referendum drive song, Amua, rents the auditorium.

Celebrities campaigning for the youth to read and make informed decisions on the Proposed Constitution under the aegis of Kenya for Change 2010. [PHOTO: PIUS CHERUIYOT]

This is just part of a script as a host of celebrated artistes host a press briefing during the launch of the ‘Kenyans for Change’ (K4C10) initiative.

The well-choreographed playful video features Sauti Sol, Suzanne Owiyo, Nameless, Nonini, Juliani and Jua Cali, the musical stars behind the Committee of Experts-sponsored project.

In the video, Nameless is enjoying roasted maize on the roadside while holding a copy of the proposed constitution, which he discusses with a vendor.

The celebrities in the video are joined by their counterparts Wyre, Size 8, Avril, Amani, Nonini and Achieng Abura who chairs a delegation of young people. She rolls out the master plan on planned town-to-town civic education rallies on the Proposed Constitution.

In the deal are leading showbiz powerhouses Penya Records, Ogopa Deejays and Calif Records.

STAR-STUDDED

"We are neither red or green. We are not supporting any side in the ongoing Proposed Constitution campaigns," says Abura defending the group from media queries implying that Government bigwigs in the ‘Yes’ team are behind the K4C10 initiative.

The track Amua had originally been named Ngeuza Katiba, but the name was dropped as it "could send the wrong signals"

Infact, the K4C10 team should have been on the road a month ago if it weren’t for some technical hitches on the CoE side.

"We are preaching tolerance, national cohesion, political and socio-economical stability," a rather eloquent Abura goes on, adding that they do not mind politicians ‘of like mind’ joining them.

But Juliani is not that circumspect after the press challenge him to state whether he would vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ during the August vote.

The gospel star does not mince his words and states he is a ‘Yes’ person. With this declaration, Juliani distances himself from a group of gospel artistes who have gone public in support of the clergy declaring they are against the proposed draft.

Juliani is not alone. The artistes’ speeches are laced with witty undertones. Numerous musicians express praise for the Proposed draft as they picked on sections and clauses, that are in favour of the youth, art and cultural diversity.

Last Saturday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), the singers lined up to thrill and educate their fans in a well-attended high-spirited rally. They move to Mombasa tomorrow, then to Malindi before heading to Kisumu next weekend.

On the other hand, the clergy-led ‘No’ team is still assembling its youth campaign team with big names in the gospel scene being short-listed for the referendum showdown.

In fact, a number of gospel musicians among them Rufftone have gone vocal on their ‘No’ stand and have been accompanying the ‘No’ team in weekly campaigns as well as educating fellow church youth through lobbying.

As has been the case in the past, different political groupings are seeking the influential power of celebrities to wow voters in the ongoing campaigns.

POLITICAL HARVEST

With irresistible contracts having been put on their tables, musicians, actors, sports personalities and production houses have once again fallen prey to powerful politicians who have hired their services to support ongoing campaigns.

A top artiste was paid about Sh500,000 to sign a deal with one of the protagonists. A number of others are smiling all the way to the bank with at least Sh300,000 offers to participate in the ‘civic education’ rallies.

A couple of others have been paid thousands to appear in billboards, electronic advertising posts and other endorsements.

In the run upto the 2007 General Elections, artistes DNA, CMB Prezzo, Nazizi, Wyre, Nonini, Jua Cali, Calif Records’ Clement Rapudo and events organiser guru Big Ted among others joined the political bandwagon as they marshalled youth support for different political parties.

In fact, for the Banjuka singer, it was a question of working with the highest bidder. Our sources reveal that ODM offered DNA close to Sh1million but the musician demanded Sh10million. PNU got wind of the stalled negotiations and bought DNA’s remixed Banjuka, outbidding ODM as DNA joined the ‘Kibaki Tena’ campaign machine.

Clemo even temporarily ‘closed’ his studio to concentrate working as Entertainment Manager for ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ lobby group.

The political harvest time even benefited neighbouring Tanzanian artistes such as Vaileti singer Matonya who participated in PNU rallies. ODM had Tip Top Connections member Z Anto who was then riding high with his Mpenzi Kiziwi hit.

The likes of Homeboyz were providing stage, sound and lighting during political rallies, reaping huge amounts.

But beyond the politically influenced cash galore, the question still begs; can our role models, the celebrities, ever put their feet down and give the youth informed opinions and direction on politically motivated matters such as the current debate?

Can the youth survive political manipulation and the power of handouts in making decisions on how to vote? Can the youth stand out and be vocal in decision making in this great turn- around? Are the youth mere objects to be used by the powerful class whose political agenda do not even favour their future?

Kevin Mulei, the Groove Awards boss and leading voice among church youth is at a loss, wondering why the youth have not taken their rightful role in the ongoing campaign.

"It is sad to see the youth unconcerned in this process which is bound to benefit us all," he says.

According to him, he has not heard or seen any move by the Committee of Experts that directly targets the youth.

"The youth are the future of this country. We must push our way beyond pain and political manipulation. We need to put our heads together as the youth and get out of this mess," Mulei continues.

As if jinxed by the political flirtation, most artistes who in the past have been fully engrossed in political campaigns have seen their star dimming.

Dimming star

Singers like Prince Adio of the Nikiwa Ndani hit,which was adopted by ODM, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji of the Unbwogable hit and DNA are no longer the most celebrated stars after making quick political cash.

Others lost their popularity with fans after announcing their inclination towards a given political grouping.

Jimmy Gait of the Huratiti fame says, "Politicians have nothing to lose by the end of the day. But as a singer, I will be sending mixed signals to my fans if I state my stand on the draft as some could be yes while others are for no. Let the youth read the draft and make their own uninfluenced decision," he adds.

"Why is it that every time artistes come together they do so with some form of political agenda influenced by people who are only pushing their own agenda? Can’t the youth ever speak without being manipulated?" Gait wonders.