Kenyan afro-pop band has accused Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance of copyright infringement after the political outfit used their hit song Extravaganza in their campaign materials.
In a statement on Monday, May 16, 2022, the band said that it had not authorised former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Azimio to use the track, which was used to announce Martha Karua as his running mate
“We did not license this song to the Azimio la Umoja campaign neither did we give any consent 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,” Sauti Sol said.
The band, which promised to seek legal remedy against Azimio, termed the action as a flagrant disregard of their basic and fundamental 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 with their campaign without our consent. This is contrary to Article 4 of the Constitution of Kenya,” the statement added.
“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,” Sauti Sol added.
Sauti Sol was formed in 2005 by vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Polycarp Otieno and Savara Mudigi.
