Veteran comedian Eddie Butita has raised some thought-provoking questions regarding the backlash directed at artistes who performed during Kenya’s Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12. His comments have sparked a heated debate, with mixed reactions from Kenyans across social media platforms.
On the day of the celebrations, a slew of iconic Kenyan artistes, including Mejja, Jua Cali, Habib, Madtrax, DNA, Collo, P-Unit, Esther Wahome, and Daddy Owen, took the stage at Uhuru Gardens to electrify the crowd. Their performances, including DNA’s “Banjuka,” even got President William Ruto on his feet, dancing along. However, some netizens took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure, criticizing the musicians for aligning with the current government, led by President Ruto.
Butita, known for his sharp wit and candid views, took to social media to question the anger directed at the performers. He asked, “Where is the problem if an artiste performs on Jamhuri Day?” While he emphasized that he was not speaking out of bad faith, Butita defended the performers’ right to take part in the national celebrations. He appreciated their stellar performances, labeling them “splendid.”
However, Butita’s post quickly garnered criticism from those who saw it as an endorsement of the government. Some even accused him of supporting the regime due to his personal gains. Social media users had divided opinions on the matter.
Some commenters, like @CongressmanSM, defended the artistes, stating, “We must respect the legends who performed… That’s great respect for our heritage as a nation.” Others, such as @KahumburuM, pointed out the need for Kenyans to separate politics from cultural celebrations, urging maturity when engaging in such matters.
On the other hand, some expressed their dissatisfaction, with @MogireFrank questioning why the artistes shouldn’t be “canceled” if the public felt they had violated their beliefs. “We are the consumers of their art,” he remarked, implying that the public should have a say in whether or not the artistes should be celebrated.
Butita’s defense of the artistes sparked further debate, with others feeling that the performers were simply doing their jobs and shouldn’t be judged for participating in national events. Commenters like @SolomonNdisya believed the artistes were free to perform where they wished, as they were paid for their work.
While the conversation continued to evolve, Butita’s stance on the issue raised a larger question about how art and politics intersect in Kenya. Is it fair to judge an artiste based on their choice of performance venues, especially when such venues are national celebrations? Or should artistes be free to perform without fear of backlash, regardless of their political affiliations?
As the debate rages on, it’s clear that Jamhuri Day performances have sparked more than just patriotic pride—they’ve ignited a conversation about the relationship between art, politics, and public opinion in Kenya.
In the meantime, Butita and others like him continue to engage in these thought-provoking discussions, challenging Kenyans to examine the broader implications of their reactions.
