Unity at last after years of fighting

Musicians from Central Kenya on Saturday officially launched a Sacco after nearly eight years of wrangling.

Veteran musicians shared the stage with up-coming artistes as they expressed hopes that the Talented Musicians and Composers (Tamco) Sacco would unite them further.

The event was graced by Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, and MPs Sabina Chege, Maina Kamanda and Patrick Wainaina who hailed the initiative even as they called for the officials to recruit members from outside the region to give the outfit a national outlook.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, through Mr Kamanda, gave Sh1 million to support the sacco while Deputy President William Ruto pledged a similar amount.

Mr Iria and Kamanda gave Sh500,000 and Sh200,000 each respectively.

Past attempts to form such a group had flopped owing to infighting between the older musicians and the upcoming artistes.

Kamanda said after the musicians ‘sobered up’ they would have an opportunity to meet President Kenyatta, who had recognised their efforts in his re-election campaign in 2017.

“The ball is in our court. Be orderly and there is a bright future ahead as what happened after Kamaru’s burial is now past,” he said.

Uhuru had invited the musicians to State House after the funeral of benga maestro Joseph Kamaru in October last year but the invitation was withdrawn after the artistes could not agree on who would attend.

Mr Iria urged the members to support the sacco through savings and engage in investment so as to nurture their growth.

“Murang’a has been leading due to massive resources channeled through the cooperative movement and artistes should follow suit,” said Iria.

The governor urged veteran musicians John De Mathew, Peter Kigia wa Esther and Musaimo wa Njeri, among others, to guide the upcoming artistes on how to save and invest.

On the subject of a referendum, Iria said he would push for the equitable sharing of resources in all parts of the country.