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Vincent Mwasia Mutua, known as Chipukeezy, has addressed online critics after his appearance at the Mashujaa Day celebrations on Sunday, October 20, in Kwale Stadium.
The comedian posted a series of videos on his social media accounts showcasing the festivities.
One video that caught attention featured President William Ruto dancing to the hit song Anguka Nayo by Wadagliz.
This song has become an anthem for the Finance Bill protests, which resulted in the deaths of 22 people. Many Kenyans felt the song was inappropriate for the celebration.
One Instagram user commented, “Instead of joining youths to use your voice in fighting bad governance, sahi unalamba serikali ya wakora na wanyanyasaji. We will remember. Shame on you.”
Another user added, “There’s nothing to dance about; the future of those people is being stolen. This should be a demonstration and not a celebration.”
In response to the backlash, Chipukeezy posted a video saying, “Hawa watu wameshida kutuvuruga ju ya kazi yenye tunafanya, Yaani mjue itakua hard sana wasee, mtu kama mimi kuwacha mboka, yaani nione kazi nikose kufanya ndio unifurahie online, kwani mimi ni mtu mjinga aje ati ndio unisupport, unisupport aje? (These people who have tried to disrupt the work we are doing. You should know it will be hard for someone like me to leave work just so you can be happy online. Do you think I am foolish to refuse a job just so you can support me?),” he said.
He added.”Mi huMC, niitwe job nikatae ju mnataka tuchange Kenya, simchange alafu nitakuja niendelee ku…, Oya… nyinyi kama kuna course yenyu mmetengeneza, nyinyi mnataka kubadilisha nchi, mimi nawawish well. Lakini just coz watu hawaparticipate kwa hiyo course yao wasianze kutaka kutaka kutu…. Sisi si mapush over bro. (I am an MC; if I am called to work, I won’t refuse because you want to change Kenya. If you have a course you have created and want to change the country, I wish you well. But just because people do not participate in your course, they should not start trying to pressure us. We are not pushovers, bro.”
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His comments sparked a mix of reactions among Kenyans and fellow celebrities. DJ Kwobar remarked, “Wanaume, njaa ni kitu mbaya sana. This is a very talented man and can make a decent living in this land but because he grew in poverty and he never outgrew that mindset he still thinks he will lose everything he has (yet I personally consider him a responsible man). Nakupenda bro.”
Salim the Don added, “Vincent, uko talented but since ujiunge ni hii serikali, ulipotea bro, jiite kamkutano na ujiongeleshe! Endelea kutumika na politicians tuu, etii 'Statehouse MC' na unalipwa na our taxes? Hata hauna heshima, bro?”
Mwirigi commented, “I wish you kept quiet. Some of these opinions are your own personal decisions not meant for the public. Like who, when, and how you marry, you will ask no one for their opinion; it's up to you and the other party. Anyway, time will vindicate your opinion.”
Tady Montana said, “Ati inasaidia aje.. man you started well then you lost the point ati inasaidia aje tukiwa maandamano.. my friend ata kwa familia yenyu watu kuna watu hawana kazi... we going to demand factories for our youths.. wake up usikule pesa ya serikali ukadhani kila mtu ako fiti.”
Gachicha added, “Ni sawa kabisa. Piga hustle yako and may you succeed. But when you realise you cannot outhustle bad governance, utakua freedom fighter kushinda Dedan Kimathi.”
Collins Mboha noted, “Kuna ka ukweli though, kuenda maandamano streets help Kenya as a whole, but does it trickle down to you as an individual?”
Mark Muriithi commented, “Bro if you are happy with what you're doing, it's fine. Kula pesa yako na amani. Period!!!”
Wadagliz, the artistes behind hit-song Anguka Nayo, also responded to the backlash they received after their performance.
The duo's manager, Sam Michaka, stated, “We performed during the Mashujaa Day celebrations because the government wanted us to. That does not mean we support the government.”
He added, "Wadagaliz have no problem with anyone, and we will continue doing our job. If people love us, they will love us; those who don’t love us, that’s their problem."
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