Boutross: Artistes should not starve by rejecting govt gigs
By Steve Ireri, August 18, 2025Rapper Boutross Munene has shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate about whether artistes should perform at government events, stating that he will never shy away from pursuing work, regardless of the political affiliations associated with it.
Speaking during an interview with the Iko Nini Podcast on Monday, August 18, 2025, he stated that his loyalty lies in his craft and survival, rather than in political alignments, adding that those who expect musicians to avoid government-linked functions are setting them up for failure.
According to him, artistes cannot afford to starve simply because they are afraid of public backlash for accepting government shows.
“I cannot advise any artiste to reject work just because people are against the government. If you focus on that, you will remain hungry,” he said.
Boutross explained that he would not hesitate to perform at the launch of a matatu by George Ruto or any other political event, stressing that for him every stage is an opportunity to showcase his talent and earn a living.
He added that the crowd itself is proof that many Kenyans would still want to see artistes perform regardless of the political setting, and he is not worried about standing alone in such spaces.
“If I were called to perform at George Ruto’s matatu launch, I would go. I am telling you, there is nowhere I cannot work. The funny thing is, people say you might get into trouble with others, but there were thousands of people who attended, and I am sure even more would have wanted to come. So I would not be alone at such an event,” he added.
He maintained that his personal opinion about politics remains his own, and that booking him means accepting him as he is.
He said he does not mind whether the audience consists of government supporters or opposition followers, because at the end of the day his responsibility is to his music and his livelihood.
“For me, there is no place I cannot go to perform because my opinion about politics remains my opinion. If someone does not like it, that is their issue. I have always been open about this, and if you book me, you already know what I stand for and I will accept it.”
2027 polls
Turning to the issue of the 2027 general elections, Boutross emphasised that true change will only come through voting and not through silencing or cancelling artistes for appearing at political rallies.
He said that the ballot is the ultimate tool that citizens can use to either vote someone out or vote someone in, and performances by singers cannot change that reality.
“About the 2027 elections, whether artistes will perform at Ruto’s rallies or not, what I can say is that I will have my voting card, and my focus will be on voting. Voting is what determines the future. Performances cannot change anything. If we want to vote someone out, we vote them out, and if we want to vote someone in, we vote them in,” he added.
The singer also revealed that he would perform for both President William Ruto and the opposition in the same season, because his art is not tied to politics.
He insisted that he is only committed to his music and his family, and that no amount of threats or attempts at cancellation will distract him from securing opportunities to work.
“Backlash for performing for people like the president should not deter any singer. Personally, I do not care about threats to cancel me. I can even perform for Ruto and still perform for the opposition. The only side I am choosing is me and mine, not any politician.”