“It was a show of love” Raila apologizes to Sautisol for using their song without permission

Sauti Sol music group had on 16 May 2022, expressed their anger after Azimio La Umoja led by Raila used their Extravaganza song while unveiling Martha Karua running mate at the KICC earlier today.

In a strong statement, they singers accused Railaila for using one of their songs without permission, amounting to disrespect to artists.

Here is Sauti Sol’s Statement:

“It has come to our attention that the Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer and presidential candidate, the Right Hon. Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook and lnstagram) have without license nor authority used one of our more popular original compositions, “Extravaganza,” as a soundtrack to the announcement post of the running mate.

We did not license this song to the Azimio La Umoja campaign neither did we give any consents for 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.

This action is a flagrant disregard of our basic and fundamenta l rights to property and freedom of association. Through their action they have taken away the right to own and control what is originally and solely our property and have directly associated us to their campaign without our consent. This is contrary to Article 4 of the Constitution of Kenya.

We would like to make it very clear to our fans, partners and associates, 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.

We are disappointed by the Azimio la Umoja Campaign’s blatant disregard of our right to control the use of our copyright.

We shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright.”