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I was paid well, ‘Lelo ni Lelo’ hit maker says

By Freya Wanjiku November 30th, 2022 2 min read

The Lelo ni Lelo hit maker has revealed that Azimio la Umoja party leader Raila Odinga paid him very well for using his song.

The song composed by Emmanuel Musindi was largely played during the coalition’s campaign and was Mr Odinga’s signature tune in politically rallies.

However, while speaking during in an interview with Mutembei TV, Musindi said his life is still the same even after meeting Mr Odinga.

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The musician also said all the songs he has composed have been hits.

“It is important if your song is listened to by influential leaders. I did not think they knew the song for when I was doing it, my goal was selling it,” Musindi said, adding that he changed the song’s lyrics to fit his work.

“The song did good work and although we did not succeed we are okay.”

Early this year, Musindi told a local radio station that he did not receive a penny for his efforts.

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“Despite a scuffle between myself and the disc jockeys at the event, who demeaned me and could not listen to my plea, I was given the opportunity of welcoming ‘Baba (Raila Odinga)’ once he arrived. Afterwards, the Azimio la Umoja party leader requested I perform the song again before his speech, something that made me super excited,” he recounted.

Musindi said that even after the event he did not receive any form of appreciation as gratitude for his performance and that it was area Woman Rep who gave him transport back home.

However, ODM communications director Philip Etale absolved the party from blame saying it was not the political outfit’s responsibility to pay artistes who performed at Azimio rally in Kakamega on New Year’s eve.

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