Sauti Sol Band Threatens to Sue Azimio Coalition over Copyright Infringement

Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol has threatened to sue the Azimio La Umoja coalition over alleged copyright infringement.

The music group accuses the coalition of using their hit song ‘Extravaganza’ during the unveiling of Nark-Kenya leader Martha Karua as Raila Odinga’s running mate on Monday without their consent.

“The Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer and presidential candidate, the Right Hon. Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga's social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) have without license nor authority used one of our more popular original compositions, "Extravaganza," as a soundtrack to the announcement post of the running mate,” Sauti Sol said in a statement.

“We did not license this song to the Azimio La Umoja campaign neither did we give any consent for its use in the announcement of their Vice-Presidential candidate.”

The band, which comprises Polycarp Otieno, Willis Austin Chimano, Mudigi Savar,a and Bien-Aime Baraza, said it will be seeking a legal remedy following the violation.

“This action is a flagrant disregard of our basic and fundamental rights to property and freedom of association. Through their action, they have taken away the right to own and control what is originally and solely our property and have directly associated us with their campaign without our consent.”

Sauti Sol clarified that they are not aligned to nor associated with the Azimio La Umoja campaign or any other political movement or party, their presidential aspirants, deputy presidential aspirants, and candidates at large. 

“We are fully apolitical. We shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright.”