As the nation slowly returns to normalcy despite the Coronavirus number rise, very little has been said regards the situation in the entertainment industry that has seen Kenyan artistes count losses due to social events’ restrictions.
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Clubs, restaurants, open forum concerts, tours among others would see entertainers reap big profits towards the growth of the careers and building networks. Unfortunately, soon as the pandemic struck the world, events like concerts and tours were declared a no-go zone especially where International travels were concerned.
This saw majority of entertainers resort to clubs and restaurants locally, as their source of income and to help cushion them amidst the global disaster. Unfortunately, once it seeped through Kenyan borders, entertainment places were immediately shut down as fans refrained from attending any social gatherings, leaving artistes in the dark.
Khaligraph’s open letter
But now, 5 months after COVID-19 joined us, several businesses have been reopened, netizens still able to earn one or two but what of the music artistes? Feeling the heat, Tuma Kitu rapper, Khaligraph Jones decided to pen a request letter to the First in Command urging;
@ukenyatta Kindly on behalf of the Creative Industry of Kenya we are Requesting that you allow us to get back to work, allow for the reopening of Clubs and Restaurants. Measures and precautions shall be Taken to ensure Covid 19 doesn’t further spread.
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His reason being;
The youth are suffering from Depression in Silence, also Some of our Hits songs are Going To waste, People want to see @femi_one and @mejjagenge perform Utawezana. #respecttheogs
Tanasha Donna, Femi One, Masauti, Jua Cali, Sauti Sol’s Savara quickly backed up his sentiments, lauding him for speaking on behalf of the better majority of entertainers silently suffering behind closed doors.
Trolls
Unfortunately, their sentiments only attracted severe backlash from Kenyans who felt this was very self-minded of them amidst the rising cases of infections. Check out a section of replies below;
