Politics

02 April 2022

• Dr Ezekiel Mutua said, "One day the musicians of this country will be rich and respected. It hurts to see talented musicians languishing in poverty because of piracy or because their royalties were mismanaged or because they were not given financial literacy, skills and the support to invest their monies well."

Dr Ezekiel Mutua is known for his hardline and combative stance on what he believes in, as such one would think he has thick skin.

Nope.

That is not the case.

In an interview with Bonface Nyagah of The Nation, Dr Mutua said the tags that media and KOT give him are savage and they do hurt him and his family.

He has been branded the title “moral policeman” and “Deputy Jesus” during his stint at KFCB where he went ham after any entertainer who dared cross the risque line, according to his standards of clean content.

Speaking to Bonface, Dr Mutua thinks he has been judged unfairly.

He said, “The media has always been unfairly harsh. Some of the headlines and nicknames that have been thrown at me are completely unnecessary."

Adding, "You may not agree with my professional stand but remember, I am a father, a son and an uncle. How do you think my family feels when they read your headlines and ridicule?”

Now that he has been appointed as the new CEO of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), he has big plans for the music industry.

"I am here to fight for artists. My promise to all musicians is “pesa mfukoni”. I am here to make our artists billionaires."

After the interview was published, Dr Mutua took to his social to advocate for the musicians with great zeal.

"One day the musicians of this country will be rich and respected. It hurts to see talented musicians languishing in poverty because of piracy or because their royalties were mismanaged or because they were not given financial literacy, skills and the support to invest their monies well.

It hurts to see people who bring so much joy to our hurts, who inspire us with their creativity and give hope to society, suffer the plight of paupers and have to hold harambees when they fall sick.

It hurts when one sees musicians used as an appendage at key events. They are only called to perform when needed then they are sent backstage.

I have a dream that one day, musicians will sit at the front table because they will be rich, respected and influential and their works will shape the narrative for a better Kenya."