Celebrated musician Eric Wainaina performed at a government function for the first time in 22 years on Jamhuri Day December 12, 2023.
Wainaina had been blacklisted from State events following the drama that happened at a function where he performed for the late Vice President George Saitoti.
The veteran musician rattled the government because of the way he boldly spoke to power.
Wainaina got into government’s bad books in 2001 when he dared to call out powerful political figures for corruption.
In September 2001, Eric Wainanina performed at a music festival attended by the late Kenyan Vice-President George Saitoti and organisers tried to stop him from sing his anti-corruption song ‘Kitu Kidogo’.
‘Kitu Kidogo’ condemned rampant corruption in Kenya which was prevalent during the regime of late President Daniel Arap Moi.
Singing ‘Kitu Kidogo’ at an event grace by Vice President Saitoti was tantamount to showing the government the middle figure at a public event.
Organizers disconnected loudspeakers when Eric Wainaina was halfway through his performance and someone also grabbed his microphone.
Only after an outcry from the audience did the band continue their performance.
“My thought process was, I’m not going to stop because a few people are going to be upset. I had the vice-president in front of me and it’s important that this message gets across,” Wainaina said while speaking to the BBC at the time.
As a result, Wainanina was blacklisted from State functions, and his song was banned from being played on state media platforms.
Fast forward to December 12, 2023, Eric Wainaina once again performed at a State function – Jamhuri Day before president William Ruto and top government echelons.
However, Wainaina didn’t perform his anti-corruption song ‘Kitu Kidogo’. He instead performed the patriotic song ‘Daima’.
