She manages one of Africa’s biggest musical exports, but Chiki Kuruka has revealed that even global stardom doesn’t protect you from the “insult” of a lowball offer.
The high-profile manager and wife of Sauti Sol frontman Bien-Aimé Baraza has launched a blistering attack on “disrespectful” clients who attempt to book top-tier talent for “peanuts.”
In a series of candid social media posts on Sunday, March 15, 2026, Chiki expressed her total exhaustion with the “market-stall mentality” currently gripping the Kenyan music scene—where promoters expect “Bentley” performances on a “used-car” budget.
Taking to Instagram, Chiki shared her daily struggle with clients who fail to understand the massive overheads involved in professional music production.
Using a sharp-witted analogy to highlight the absurdity of the situation, she laughed off the idea that top artists should just “be available” for whatever scraps a client has left in their pocket.
“The amount of times I get these calls… lol,” she wrote, clearly reaching her breaking point.
“Respectfully, it isn’t going to afford me a car… But the car lot isn’t going to afford a Bentley.”
The manager pointed out that the gap in knowledge is “crazy,” with many clients failing to realize that booking a professional artist involves paying for lighting, sound, travel, and a team of experts—not just the person on the microphone.
Chiki’s outburst was sparked by a shocking revelation from DJ Rizz, the manager of gospel superstar Guardian Angel.
Rizz exposed a cringeworthy exchange where a client attempted to book the Nadeka hitmaker for a measly Ksh50,000—despite the artist’s established market rate of Ksh300,000.
When Rizz stood his ground, the client reportedly hung up and hired a “budget” artist for just Ksh30,000 instead. It is this race to the bottom that Chiki argues is devaluing the entire Kenyan creative industry.
“It’s crazy that clients still don’t understand what artists’ bookings cost,” Chiki noted.
“Many assume top performers should just be available for whatever budget they have.”
According to Kuruka, the problem isn’t just about greed; it’s a fundamental lack of education. She slammed critics who complain about why Kenyan stars aren’t “more accessible” while simultaneously refusing to pay the fees that allow those stars to maintain world-class standards.
The “Bien brand” has reached international heights—with the singer collaborating with global icons—yet back home, the struggle to be treated with professional respect continues.
For Chiki, the message is simple: If you want the best, you have to pay for the best. “The car lot isn’t going to afford a Bentley,” remains her golden rule.
As the debate over artist fees rages on, one thing is clear: If you’re calling the Baraza household with “peanuts,” don’t expect Chiki Kuruka to pick up the phone.
