Award-winning Kenyan band Sauti Sol has threatened to sue Raila Odinga and the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance for copyright infringement.
In a statement shared on its social media platforms, the group explained that Odinga had used the song ‘Extravaganza’ without their consent during the unveiling of Martha Karua as his running mate at the KICC on Monday 16.05.2022.
“We did not license this song to the Azimio la Umoja campaign neither did we give any consent to its use in the announcement of their vice-presidential candidate. Furthermore, our authority to use the composition, which is one of our most distinct compositions was neither sought nor given. This is blatant copyright infringement as directed by Section 35 CAP 170 of the Copyright Act of Kenya,” read part of their statement.
The popular singers also stressed that they were not affiliated with any political party. “We are not aligned to nor associated with the Azimio La Umoja Campaign or any other Political Movement and/or Party, their Presidential aspirants, Vice Presidential aspirants, and candidates at large. We are fully apolitical,” the statement read.
The group further added, “We shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright.”
Sauti Sol also complained that Azimio’s use of their song denied them the right to control and own what is originally and solely their property by directly associating them with their campaign without consent.
Sauti Sol is a Kenyan afro-pop band made up of Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Polycarp ‘Fancy Fingers’ Otieno, and Savara Mudigi
