This year alone at least three popular secular Kikuyu artistes have come out strongly via their music to show their allegiance to either of the two rival political camps juggling about President Uhuru Kenyatta's succession in 2022.
The two camps include the one drumming up support for Deputy President William Ruto to succeed Kenyatta in 2022 in the name of paying the so-called political debt. The other camp is the anti-Ruto one which argues that Central Kenya region owes Ruto nothing come the next electoral cycle.
That said, it all started when musician Kimani Wa Turacco released the controversial song 'Hatuna Deni, Kitaeleweka' which not only gave him fame nationally but also elicited a lengthy debate.
After Kimani's storm settled, another popular and respected Kikuyu artist, John De'mathew, released a new song that sought to remind Central Kenya voters not to dare 'betray' Ruto.
And recently, upcoming musician, Gathee Wa Njeri released a pro-Ruto song that in many aspects can be said to be a direct response to Wa-Turacco's song.
While political alignments among Gikuyu artistes is not a new phenomenon, what is new in this case is the open contradictions among these artistes who are known to sway their fans to one particular direction.
So, how is the change of this traditional tune likely to affect the musical careers of the artistes involved?
Well, it all depends on how their respective fans receive and interpret the messages in their music.
For instance, Wa Turacco's song despite earning him fame and perhaps good money, also earned him hate especially from those who do not agree with the song. The same case applies to those drumming up support for Ruto.
The short-term gains of these political leanings by these artistes might be rewarding in several aspects especially if the two political camps continue to thrive.
However, the long-term consequences of the same might be devastating more so if the rival camps unite sooner than later.
The said artistes will be left at the centre with egg on their faces while their credibility and relevance may wane as a result.
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