Deputy President Kindiki Kithure addressing Mathioya residents at Kamune groundsKindiki who spoke during Mathioya Empowerment Day held at Kamune grounds said the meeting held with artistes from the Central region was not aimed at giving them money and that it was a platform to air their grievances.
The artistes, he said, decried the many brokers in the sector that consume their earnings, leaving them scrambling to support themselves and their families.
Kindiki admonished some political leaders who have publicly condemned the artistes for meeting him saying he's the deputy President and has the mandate to meet with all Kenyans.
"I met just a few of them. They were about 50. These artists, the way you have seen them perform here, that's the way they earn their living," he said, referring to a battalion of artistes who performed at the event.
He vowed to crush the cartels siphoning entertainers' money and streamline the sector the same way that the government is streamlining agricultural sectors.
"You see them performing out there but they go to bed crying because their careers are hijacked by brokers that they are unable to educate their children. This is why they came to see me. They didn't come to get money".
Kindiki said the artistes also decried meager royalties earned from their songs and that they sought his help in boosting their earnings.
He cited Murang'a county as one of the areas endowed with many artistes noting that their reduced earnings negatively impact their lives and local economies.
"Murang'a is the headquarters of artists. It's one of the cash cashcows of the county. Was it wrong that they sought my help? If they can't come to the Deputy President, who do they go to?" He wondered.
He sounded a warning to the cartels, saying their time is up and the government will be gunning for them.
Later, the DP said he will organize meetings with musicians from other parts of the country, telling off leaders who are opposed to the meetings.
"I've been a senator and an MP, I have served as a deputy speaker, and I have even fought alshabaab. We will deal with these cartels early in the morning. We're serious people, and nothing we have done has not succeeded," he added.
He however, urged political leaders to respect others, threatening that those who are disrespectful will be treated with equal contempt.
The deputy President presented Sh3 million from President William Ruto to local women and youth groups before donating Sh2 million himself, while area MP Edwin Mugo also donated Sh3 million.
Other leaders in attendance included nominated MP Sabina Chege, Peter Kihungi (Kangema), Veronica Maina (nominated), Mary Waithera (Maragua), and nominated MP Betty Maina.
