By Ahmad Muto
Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi, who had moved from criticising Kenyan artistes and their music to political activism, has switched back to his old ways.
Via Instagram on Tuesday, May 29, expressed frustration with Kenyan musicians, saying his efforts of fighting for their rights go to waste because they are not releasing worthy songs.
He maintained that it is the reason international artistes dominate Kenyan entertainment.
However, singer Nadia Mukami accused the comedian of returning to his stunts for social media likes yet his activism was going great and had the support of many, even herself that once defended him.
On Instagram, she wrote: “Eric Omondi doing something good, then finally destroys it! Eric had a proper direction in activism that would have worked based off his influence and I was like finally his branding is good.”
She continued: “All of a sudden anarudi kwa zile gimmicks zake! Who is advising you?? Don’t ruin something good you were doing over YouTube views (YouTube doesn’t even pat that good real money is in streams!!!). You had a proper direction Achana na hizi gimmicks jeeeeez! We won’t take you seriously next time!!.”
Meanwhile, rapper Khaligraph Jones asked Omondi to choose one area and focus instead of shifting from one cause to another. It is the only way he will be taken seriously.
“You need to pick one fight, bro… Yesterday, you were spearheading a very important agenda, which made me go to the studio and record a song addressing the same matter. For once I was on the same page with you leo sasa umeingia tena clout chasing?” he reacted.
Recall in 2022, Omondi caged himself outside the Kenyan parliament, demanding that legislators pass a bill compelling Kenyan media to play 75% local content.
Omondi has been arrested twice this year so far. The first time he was picked up in February over his shirtless protest near the Kenyan parliament. He cited high cost of living as his reason. In March this year, he was arrested again while donating flour in Nairobi also citing high cost of living.
Sauti Sol banned him from attending their Sol Fest gig in 2022 and even secured a restraining order barring him from getting within 500 metres of their concert venue.
Their relationship soured in 2021 when he accused them of failing Kenyan music, letting Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz dominate their industry.
