Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), has criticized the viral Mapangale dance style for allegedly promoting violence, particularly violence against women. In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Mutua expressed his concerns about the dance’s depiction of cutting with a panga, stating that it normalizes violence and could contribute to harmful attitudes towards women. The dance, created by MC Zendiambo, features two dancers—one playing the role of the ‘cutter’ and the other as the ‘recipient’—mimicking the act of cutting with a panga while moving rhythmically.
Mutua noted that the Interior Ministry had flagged the song and was in discussions with MCSK to address the issue. He emphasized that the dance’s timing is particularly problematic given the country’s ongoing issues with rising femicide rates. “This song promotes violence against women. One dancer simulates attacking his partner with a panga. How is that not promoting violence? It’s not funny; it’s harmful,” Mutua stated, urging Kenyans to stop promoting the dance while investigations into its legality continue.
The government is investigating whether the dance violates any laws, and if it does, it could be removed from streaming platforms. Mutua preferred dialogue over immediate condemnation, expressing a desire to understand the artist’s perspective and suggesting that the dance’s portrayal of violence is not in line with promoting decency. The Mapangale dance controversy has sparked significant public discourse, with some questioning its appropriateness while others defend it as a form of entertainment.
