Deputy President William Samoei Ruto finally had a sit-down conversation with the award-winning rapper Khaligraph Jones real name Brian Robert Ouko after the rapper reached out to him a few days ago to step in and help out where he can.
Deputy President didn’t only meet up with Khaligraph Jones, he invited other mainstream entertainers, rappers, and DJs.
“At the request of our artists led by rapper @KHALIGRAPH (Brian Robert Ouko), I met members of the creative industry to discuss their concerns, receive suggestions & proposals on the current Covid-19 situation in the country.” DP Ruto shared in part on social media.
Some showed up but a notable musical figure who wasn’t present was Mejja who has —as fans would have it—holding down the entire music industry for close to almost two years straight now.
DP Ruto said that the meeting was successful and went ahead in disclosing what the group of creatives in the country requested the government to do for them.
You should read Khaligraph Jones writes to Deputy President William Ruto, again
Reportedly, they requested for a special government fund that will be set aside to support and help out artistes that they can support with 100% transparency and also the government to support the entertainment and music industry in the digital sphere to help facilitate online music concerts.
“The artists raised issues of grave concern affecting them, offered to participate in flattening the outbreak’s curve and made suggestions on the best way forward that will help the Government, and the industry raise some income.
Among the requests they made were; 1. Creation of a special government fund to support artists, 2. Government and persons of goodwill support to re-engineer the industry in the digital space to facilitate online music concerts and to assist the industry adapt to the new normal.
Generally, the COVID-19 pandemic with its attendant health and economic challenges that have ravaged the country, negatively impacting millions of livelihoods, especially in the hospitality, creative and entertainment industries, dominated the consultation.” Deputy President Ruto went on.
In return, the artistes who were represented by the few who attended agreed to help push a campaign that promotes the Ministry of Health’s protocols and vaccination drive in an effort to help battle the Covid-19 pandemic that has seen the country been on quarantine.
“On their Part, the artists offered to spearhead an intense campaign to promote the Ministry of Health’s protocols and vaccination drive as their contribution in the battle against COVID-19. The artists also asked the Government to provide a clear roadmap, timelines, and measurable milestones whose attainment will lead to the re-opening of the country. This, they said, will help them plan resumption of their activities.
In our meeting, we also discussed the possibility of coming up with a policy that will help weed out bureaucracy, brokers and impediments that slow the growth of the Creative industry.
We appreciate the proposal by artists to assist in confronting the pandemic. We welcome their offer to reinforce the campaign on the observance of COVID-19 protocols and vaccination drive once it is rolled out fully.
I offered to ensure that their recommendations and proposals are forwarded to the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus.” DP Ruto concluded.
Speaking after meeting up with Deputy President William Ruto, the multiple award-winning rapper Khaligraph Jones thanked the second most powerful man in the country for his efforts of trying to change the situation that most people in the country are going through due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown of different Counties.
Khaligraph Jones went ahead to categorically rubbish all claims that netizens might have speculating that the entire team who went for the Deputy President’s home in Karen went for handouts. He thwarted those claims saying that they had a successful meeting on how they can improve the state of the Country and help people especially those in the creative industry maneuver through these trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today We Had a Chance to sit down with the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya and discuss ways on how we can be able to improve The state of the Country and Help The Creative Industry in these Hard times.
While some will see this Photo and assume we Went for Handouts, real Agendas were tackled and possible solutions laid down. We are grateful for the audience. bloggers and Busy bodies you are now free to run Your Stories but all in All, The OGs shall be respected.” Khaligraph Jones said sharing a photo of himself together with Deputy President sitting on a bench sharing a light moment.
Also read Deputy President William Ruto responds to Khaligraph Jones
Among the many artistes, and entertainers and media personalities who attended the meeting was Khaligraph Jones himself, his elder brother Lamaz Span KOB, Nadia Mukami, Piera Makena, DJ Joe Mfalme, Jalang’o, Nyashinski, Nonini, Bonoko Deh, Nick BigFish, Willy Paul, Arrow Bwoy, among many others.
Mejja was missing but there was an explanation to this.
Dennis Itumbi explained that an invitation was sent out to Mejja but due to a scheduled interview, he couldn’t make it.
Photo credit:
In the photos: Deputy President Dr. William Samoei Ruto holding a meeting with Kenya’s creative industry at Karen home on Saturday April 24, 2021
Credits: Duputy President William Ruto via his official Twitter @WilliamsRuto
