Kenyan musical band Sauti Sol has threatened to sue Azimio la Umoja’s flag bearer Raila Odinga.
This follows claims that Raila campaign team used their ‘Extravaganza’ song without permission.
In statement issued on their social media accounts, the band claimed Raila used the song during the announcement of Martha Karua as his running mate in the August polls.
It has come to our attention that the Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer Raila Odinga’s social media accounts have without license nor authority used one of original compositions, “Extravaganza,” as a soundtrack to the announcement post of the running mate
Sauti Sol
“It has come to our attention that the Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer Raila Odinga’s social media accounts have without license nor authority used one of original compositions, “Extravaganza,” as a soundtrack to the announcement post of the running mate,” read the statement in part.
It went on: “We did not license this song to the Azimio la Umoja Campaign…our authority to use the composition was neither sought nor given, this is blatant copyright infringement as directed by section 35, CAP 170 of the Copyright Act of Kenya.”l
Mixed Reactions
The statement by the band has since caused mixed reactions among Kenyans with some of the criticizing the band.
“Si ni nyinyi mlisema play Kenyan music? Where exactly should they be played? Halafu if we incline towards Tanzania and Nigeria you start complaining of not being supported. Mnatakanga aje ‘wasanii’?” wrote @Alvindo_Kanindo.
“This is unlawful Azimio should have followed the right procedure,” @AfyaCenter wrote.
“Sa mlitoa hiyo ngoma ijiskize,” wrote another user on twitter.
Si ni nyinyi mlisema play Kenyan music? Where exactly should they be played? Halafu if we incline towards Tanzania and Nigeria you start complaining of not being supported. Mnatakanga aje ‘wasanii’? Diek.
Brenda Adhis
The song which was released on May 29, 2019 featuring Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini melted the hearts of many Kenyans.
The group expressed their disappointment as they distanced themselves from the Azimio La Umoja coalition and any other political movement.
Sauti Sol further noted that the Odinga led movement blatantly disregarded their copyright and therefore they will seek legal address to the whole matter.
“We Shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright,” wrote Sauti Sol.