Over the weekend, rapper King Kaka trended after releasing a hard-hitting poetic protest song titled ‘Wajinga Nyinyi’ to acclaimed reception. ALFAYO ONYANGO looks at other artistes, who have been down the same path…

Wajinga Nyinyi (King Kaka)

Currently the most trending song/poem in Kenya is a social commentary on the ignorance of Kenya’s woes with the system.

King Kaka takes aim at politicians and citizens, vocalising the kind of sentiments many share, but wouldn’t dare go public on.

He reminds Kenyans of their haste to forget and fear to act towards reforms in a country where politicians have a field day making fools of voters and going scot free.

Two days after the song’s release on Friday, the rapper alleged his life was in danger and he needed prayers, although in one of the lines in the song he says he wouldn’t be afraid of the repercussions it would bring fourth. 

Tujiangalie (Sauti Sol ft Nyashinski)

They say where all fails, music is the answer. Out of their comfort zone of love ballads, multiple award-winning boy band Sauti Sol linked up with rapper Nyashinski in 2018 in the song Tujiangalie.

It was a sincere message to Kenyans asking them to reflect on issues ailing the country from the immediate post-independence period such as public debt, political sabotage, tribalism, economic decline, and more.

The song was an activism stance that challenged the narrative of Kenyans accepting their misfortunes.  

Eric Wainaina (Nchi Ya Kitu Kidogo)

In 2001, at a time when tension was high about bad governance in the country, a young and fast-rising musician Eric Wainaina arrested the causes of such with an anthem-like hit song Nchi Ya Kitu Kidogo.

He rebuked the corruption crisis in Kenya in the most cutting-edge way posiible. Documenting cases of police-citizen bribery and the vile experiences of money buying justice within the courtrooms.

The song was banned by then ruling regime of Daniel arap Moi, who relinquished his 24-year rule a year later.

Utawala (Juliani)

The voices of the streets are always well represented by the Dandora born and bred artiste. With his 2014 hit Utawala, the conscious poetic rapper strikes in black and white.

In the song, Juliani elaborates the cat and mouse game between politicians and citizens. He paints an elaborate picture of how citizens are always on the receiving end of the politicians’ power play.

They find themselves at the mercies of the self-centered politicians and are left to beg for service delivery even after coughing taxes through their noses. Juliani questions the viability of political leaders empathising with wananchi’s woes. 

System Ya Majambazi (Mashifta)

The lyrical rapping duo of Kitu Sewer and G-Wiji (departed) got so outspoken and candid on this hip-hop jam.

The song talks about the gangster system Kenya has built itself upon; a system that only favours the upper class and network privileged divide because only them taste the fruits of independence yet claim that the real gangsters are in the slums of Nairobi while ironically they are the experts at thievery.

Stealing from hardworking Kenyans oppressing them to live a second rate lifestyle, the song brings out the pain the ordinary Kenyan endures just to survive while politicians and the ‘working’ class continue to fatten themselves in a clear case of bleeding the leech to fatten a heifer as illustrated in acclaimed playwright John Ruganda’s The Burdens.

Kigeugeu (Jaguar)

In 2011, singer-cum-politician Jaguar dropped one of the most controversial songs of his music career so far, Kigeugeu.

He spoke frankly on many issues that transpire in daily life in Kenya, raising awareness on the high-caliber mistrust that prevails in today’s society.

At one instance, he reveals how politicians’ shortchanging poker face characters work only through convenience of getting a vote, but when the time comes to be accountable, they flee like birds.

Kenyan Message (Muthoni Drummer Queen)

Expressing her desperate feelings in the lack of unaccountability by the Kenya’s political class, the artiste vents about issues such as financial and resource inequality affecting citizens that never seem to be taken seriously.

Biting her tongue for no one, MDQ airs her grievances that she feels are holding back the country from making strides in the right direction that will lead to a much positive outcome and prosperous nation.

Niokoe (Kalamashaka) 

Kenyan police is touted as one of the most brutal uniformed services in the region. The outcry in this song by Kalamashaka (arguably the pioneers of Kenya’s urban hip-hop) hits out at police brutality.

Just last month, the police were on the spot again for violently manhandling students of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology as they rioted. It is such kind of police cruelty that is addressed in Niokoe.

Angalia Saa (Ukoo Flani Mau Mau)

This soulful hip-hop jam by Ukoo Flani Mau Mau’s Kamah and Kitu Sewer exterminates the colonial brutality meted on black Kenyans and the current day government oppression of the citizens.

The bid to empower Kenyans on their history calling them to action in educating themselves to be politically conscious or risk being taken advantage of is crucially surreal on this critical track. This is the theme in almost all of their songs.