Ben Githae vows to never sing political songs again

Renowned Kikuyu musician Ben Githae/FILE

Renowned Kikuyu musician Ben Githae has vowed never to produce political songs again.

Githae said he will reject any offers to sing for politicians ahead of the 2027 elections.

He insisted that no amount of money would change his mind.

“I have made a decision not to produce political songs anymore,” Githae said.

The popular gospel and secular singer is well known for his hit campaign songs.

He, however, did not disclose more reasons for his change of heart but urged fans to support his other music and steer clear of politics.

"It's now official! No more political songs! Ooh help me, God," he said on his Facebook page.

In May 2017, Githae released Uhuru na Ruto Tano Tena, a song praising the then government as it sought a second term.

The song became the Jubilee Party’s anthem at political rallies.

"In 2013, when I joined the Jubilee campaigns, they used my song 'Mabataro'. So come 2017, I knew exactly what I had to do," Githae said.

"I went to the studio and recorded "Tano Tena". A lot of people think that the Jubilee Party approached me to record the song, but the truth is I did it out of my own volition. I was later approached, and they wanted to use my song as their theme song. This gave me national recognition," Githae said in a past interview.

The track drew mixed reactions from the public, but Githae maintained that as a gospel musician, he had a right to support leaders of his choice.

He kept the payment details private, telling a showbiz blog: “That’s my secret, I will not say if I was paid or not.”

In 2022, Githae 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.

He said the song celebrated the two leaders, pitting them as the better leaders to take over the leadership mantle from President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

Apart from political songs, Githae is known for his gospel hits such as Timiza Maono, Mlianza na Roho, Tabia Mbaya and Maya Ni Mabataro, among others.

Recently, on May 23, 2025, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hosted several musicians and producers hailing from the Mount Kenya region on enhancing government support for the creative sector.

Ben Githae was among the artists who attended the meeting in Karen.

Emphasising the industry's economic potential, Kindiki noted that the creative space is a lucrative business and underscored the importance of regular dialogue with artists to explore ways of strengthening the industry.

"Had an early morning engagement with musicians and producers on how, as government, we can support their work and the industry as a whole," Kindiki said.

In a rejoinder, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that artists from the Kenya region who visited his successor, Kithure Kindiki, at his Karen residence must apologise to the community.

Speaking at AIPCA Kihoya in Murang’a County, in May 2025, Gachagua stated that these artists are traitors to the community.

He alleged that at the meeting, the musicians were asked to lie to the people that state programmes are working well.

“Our artists and musicians have become traitors to the community. They were told to come and lie to you that SHA is working, roads are being built, and the education sector is doing well,” Gachagua said.