Politicians should stop exploiting musicians

Musician Julius Owino (Juliani). [Courtesy]

Reports of unauthorised use of music belonging to Juliani in a political video has elicited animated debate on social media. Unauthorised use of recorded music in political campaigns is not a uniquely Kenyan problem. Similar complaints have been reported during America’s presidential campaign.

Politics interact with music intimately since music is an effective tool of political mobilisation. In many cases, the interaction is mutually beneficial, but in a number of cases it is an abusive relationship.