Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination Dennis Itumbi has condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly undermining musicians from the Mount Kenya region.
In a statement dated May 25, 2025, Itumbi said that Gachagua’s remarks on musicians are dangerous and dictatorial.
“That Mr. Gachagua would stand at a church altar and shamelessly urge Kenyans to unfollow musicians and instruct event venues to deny them work-simply because they supported reason, truth, and government programmes meant to uplift the industry is not just offensive. It is tyrannical,” stated Itumbi.
“Let us be clear: Kenyan musicians are not your personal choir, Mr. Gachagua. You do not own their voices, their choices, or their convictions. If you want to reinvent yourself as a dictator-in-waiting, that is your political burden. But you will not-you shall not use artists as the soundtrack to your spiral into authoritarianism,” he added.
According to Itumbi, the Kenyan musicians are not pawns in Gachagua’s bitter games,
He maintained that Kenyan artists are entrepreneurs, innovators, and cultural custodians whose talents are God-given-not Gachagua-sanctioned.
The head of Presidential Special Projects emphasized that for the first time in Kenyan history, the creative sector has a dedicated State Department, structured policy backing, and government programmes designed to secure artists’ rights, amplify their earnings, and anchor the creative economy in national development.
“Your statements are not just insulting. They are economically reckless, politically desperate, and spiritually dishonest,” Itumbi stated.
“Let’s not forget-it was you who once said, ‘When people cannot speak, let them sing.’ Now that the songs don’t flatter you, you reach for the mute button? That’s not leadership. That’s hypocrisy-loud, proud, and unmasked,” he added.
At the same time, he encouraged Kenyan musicians not to be discouraged by Gachagua’s remarks.
“Do not bow. Do not flinch. Your gift is your power, and your platform is your purpose,” he said.
In addition he urged promoters and event organizers not to aid political blackmail and to stand with the artist
