Musician Gideon Kipkorir's Celebratory Song for Ruto Turns into a Nightmare Amid Protests

Reformed street boy and local artist from Nakuru Gideon Kipkorir composed the song "Kenya Kwanza" two years ago as a tribute to President William Ruto's leadership.

The energetic and positive message of the song initially granted Kipkorir popularity among Nakuru's youth who supported the president. However, the political landscape in Kenya has since undergone significant changes, with the rise of anti-government protests driven by economic hardships and dissatisfaction with the government's policies. With this shift, the very song that once celebrated the president has become a source of backlash and humiliation for the musician.

The youths who once embraced Kipkorir's patriotic gesture now view the song as a form of praise for the government, and they have resorted to assaulting and intimidating the singer. Kipkorir has faced threats, violence, and demands for money from hostile individuals who have confronted him while he was going about his daily activities, including his boda boda business, which he has had to abandon due to safety concerns.

Kipkorir's troubles began when he was forced to join anti-government protests and later assaulted while on his way to a construction job. Despite reporting these incidents to the Kaptembwa Police Station, Kipkorir has seen little progress in the investigations, leaving him feeling vulnerable and unsupported. Recounting the song's creation, the young musician describes how the inspiration to sing in President Ruto's honour struck him during a casual gathering with friends on the streets in 2022.

With their enthusiastic backing, he managed to secure the necessary funds to produce the song in a local studio within two months. Despite facing various obstacles, Kipkorir's steadfast support for the president remains unwavering. He insists that his intentions behind the song were purely positive, aiming to celebrate the progress he hoped the new administration would achieve.

“I wanted to use my music to contribute something positive. It is disheartening that my message has been misunderstood and used against me. Though I do not regret releasing the song. I believe in future I will be a big artiste and grow my YouTube channel,” he says, tears welling up in his eyes.