Kikuyu gospel singer Ben Githae has announced his exit from producing political songs.
While sharing the reasons as to why he took the step, he revealed that the haunting spirit of his late mother urging him to return to serving God.
In his first post on Facebook, Githae wrote, “It’s now official! No more political songs! Ooh help God.”
A follow-up message expressed gratitude to his fans, stating, “Wapendwa, before I sleep I would like to appreciate you for a very positive reception and acceptance of my new decision to be back in the ministry of service to God. I have received calls and even gifts locally and from diaspora fans. Finally, I know today I will sleep in peace without the spirit of my late mum haunting me in dreams asking me to serve God. The spirit of my mum should now rest in peace.”
Githae’s involvement with political songs began notably with ‘Tano Tena’, a 2017 campaign track that became the unofficial anthem for the Jubilee Party ahead of Kenya’s general elections.
The song, which endorsed then-candidate Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid for a second term, received lots of cricism from different factions.
He would later defend the track as a personal initiative, not a commissioned piece.
In 2022, he released a campaign song for Raila Odinga, who was Azimio’s flag bearer, and his running mate, Martha Karua.
The song ‘Baba Tosha’ was a remix of his first viral political hit.
Recently, he was one of the Mt. Kenya artistes to get an invite to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s residence which also faced substantive backlash.
While at the meeting Githae also released a track ‘Kindiki ni Witu’ (“Kindiki is ours”).
Immediately after the meeting, Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua unleashed scathing criticism against a group of artistes terming the meeting as betrayal of the Mount Kenya community and warned the artists to apologise or face serious consequences.
“Our artistes, we are saddened they have become traitors of our community. They were called to Karen by Mr. Money Bags, (Deputy President Kithure Kindiki), and instructed to lie to you that SHA is working. Is it working? That roads are being constructed, that everything is fine in the education sector and they agreed to this,” he charged.
He claimed that local elders had urged him to issue a strong warning.