Today, Kenene International will be laid to rest in his home in Sotik.

The Rift Valley star lost his life in a road accident on Nakuru-Eldoret highway a week ago. Kenene was travelling with four of his dancers and DJ Nico who also died on the spot, including the driver.

On Sunday, the fans family and politicians congregated at Kapkatet Stadium in Bureti Sub-County, Kericho County for a prayer meeting cum fundraiser for the seven local stars who perished at the accident.

The occasion was attended several MPs from North and South rift regions. They called on the government to crack down on those breaking traffic rules that have resulted in many road accidents that have claimed many lives of late.

Kericho Senator Haron Cheruiyot, Governors Stephen Sang (Nandi), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Joyce Laboso (Bomet) and Narok Deputy Governor Chepkirui Aruas took to the stage at Kapkatet stadium during a prayer ceremony and fundraising in aid of the bereaved families of the seven artistes who died in a road accident.

President Uhuru Kenyatta sent Sh 5 million and deputy president also sent Sh 1 million through governor Mandago to the family of the late secular musician Weldon Cheruiyot Kenene.

The governors -Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho), Joyce Laboso (Bomet) and Stephen Sang (Nandi) said most musicians in Kenya were unable to make ends meet or perfect their talents due to failure by the society to release their hard- earned money.

Mandago said they are seeking to meet the MCSK to explain how they disburse royalties to musicians saying failure to do so, they will prevail upon the legislators to amend the laws so that royalties from media houses playing the songs go direct to the musicians.

“We demand a meeting with the society in a bid to explain and show us how they have been disbursing royalties to our musicians. We are aware our singers both secular and gospel have been leading miserable lives and therefore, we are out to assist them reap maximum benefits from their careers as soon as possible," Mandago said.

Mandago want MCSK to be accountable and stop using musicians’ money on other areas that do not benefit the Kenyan musicians.

The governors also disclosed that they will make laws aimed at handing a punitive punishment to people pirating music.

“This is issue of piracy is a big challenge to our musicians and we are going to use our assemblies to make laws to crack down on music pirates. We will make sure the fines are high in a bid to stop this menace,” said Laboso.

“We are alive to the fact most musicians are still poor so we are exploring possibilities of setting aside  money to support them and to take their careers to the next level,” said Chepkwony.

Governor Sang said the counties will sit down and come out with ways of protecting the musicians saying they were the greatest resources that needed to be protected at all costs.

The governors want redesigning of the road that has claimed my lives due to the accidents and urged the relevant departments to move with speed and addressed the issue before more lives are lost.

-The Star/ Sonu Tanu