Kenyan rapper Octopizzo has sharply criticised Senate Speaker Amason Kingi for celebrating the appointment of his brother, Michael Thoya Kingi, as a commissioner at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The Noma Ni hitmaker described the move as a “clear rejection of merit” and a symptom of deeper leadership failures in Kenya, in a scathing social media post.
“Shame on you @HonAmasonKingi. Appointing an engineer to a role grounded in economics, fiscal policy and public-sector accountability is not just a mismatch—it is a clear rejection of merit. Kenya deserves leadership that champions merit and protects institutions,” Octopizzo wrote.
The rapper, known for his past activism against corruption and social injustice, questioned the normalisation of nepotism in key public offices.
Shame on you @HonAmasonKingi
This moment reflects a deep crisis of leadership and integrity. Appointing an engineer to a role that is fundamentally grounded in economics, fiscal policy, remuneration governance, and public-sector accountability is not just a mismatch it is a… https://t.co/1X58uCzO6Y
— OCTOPIZZO (@OCTOPIZZO) December 2, 2025
“What hope do we offer young people who have spent years studying the right disciplines, building expertise, and believing competence would open doors?” he quipped.’
Octopizzo continued to argue that the appointment reflects elite favouritism, sidelining more qualified candidates.
“In a country with over a million qualified Kenyan professionals in economics, finance, statistics, HR, and public policy, choosing a family member over the nation’s talent pool is indefensible. For a Speaker of the Senate to publicly celebrate this appointment without hesitation or remorse signals how normalised nepotism has become in our highest offices,” he said.
Online, Kenyans supported his critique, while others defended the appointment, insisting family ties should not automatically disqualify competent individuals.
How did it begin?
Michael Thoya Kingi, a civil engineer and former Magarini MP, was sworn in on 1 December at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, in a ceremony officiated by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
His six-year appointment by President William Ruto had been gazetted on 14 November 2025.
The SRC, established under Article 230 of the Kenyan Constitution, oversees the remuneration of state officers, requiring expertise in economics, fiscal policy, and public accountability, skills critics argue fall outside Thoya Kingi’s engineering background.
Speaker Kingi defended his brother’s capability to contribute to transparent remuneration practices.
“I wish Hon Kingi well in his new designation, and express utmost confidence that the commission will continue to discharge its constitutional mandate boldly, transparently, and accountably,” he said.