Former Roots Party 2022 running mate Justina Wamae has stepped into the heated debate surrounding the recent Furaha City music festival, urging unity among East African artists.
The event, held at Nairobi Polo Club on December 7, 2024, has sparked a fiery exchange between comedian Eric Omondi and Tanzanian music superstar Diamond Platnumz, following accusations of unfair treatment of Kenyan artists.
Controversy arose when singer Willy Paul claimed he was mistreated at the event, alleging preferential treatment of Tanzanian musicians.
“Tanzanian artists are being given priority at this event. This is sad. Mbona Wakenya wanadharauliwa mbele ya wabongo?” Willy Paul lamented during the festival.
Eric Omondi quickly took to social media to demand equal treatment for Kenyan musicians performing at home.
In a lengthy Instagram post, he highlighted persistent disparities, including a lack of VIP access and backstage privileges for local artistes, compared to the elaborate accommodations offered to international stars.
“It may tary but it will surely come to pass. Mungu halali. We fought for Kenyan Artists/Music for two Years Non Stop. I believe in one Principle…”Just Plant, You will harvest later”. We were teargased even arrested for pushing equal Treatment and Pay for Kenyan Artists.
“Our Demands were Simple: 1. Equal treatment: Kenyan Artist hawananga V.I.P Tents backstage while wengine huwekewa White Sofa sets, Black Tea, White Tea, Assorted Foods, Pombe Brands Zote, Polisi, Bouncers while A kenyan Artists husimama kando ya Stage ama nyuma ya Tent.
“I have witnessed Numerous times Kenyan Artists begging at the entrance for security to allow their Team (Managers and Dancers)to enter the venue while our International brothers and Sisters arrive in Motorcades of upto 15 Cars😰😰😰. There is a lot going on in Kenya Today but one thing am sure…A LOT IS GOING TO CHANGE. WE WILL HARVEST!!! OUR TIME IS NEAR!!!” Eric Omondi wrote on Instagram.
Diamond hits back
Diamond Platnumz responded with a sharp rebuttal, reminding Eric Omondi that he had performed in Tanzania numerous times without facing discrimination.
“My Brother Eric, Mafanikio hayaji kwa kuwawekea chuki Wengine, bali yanakuja kwa kuongeza juhudi kisha Mungu nae atakubariki… Wewe ni Moja ya Mfano mzuri kwenye hili, Ulishakuja zaidi ya Mara 10 Tanzania kufanya shows as the Headliner na sikuzote Ulipokewa kwa Upendo, hukuwahi kusikia Standup Comedians wakikuletea chuki ama kuskia Wakisema “Wanaonewa” wala Campaign za “We want 75% Tanzanian Comedians ”…
“WalijiAssess wakaona nini wafanye ili nao kufanikiwa, wakaweka Bidii, Zikaanzishwa ChekaTu, Watu Baki na Platforms Mbalimbali za Standup Comedy ambazo zikazalisha Standup Comedians Wengi, na leo hii nao wananufaika na kazi zao…
“Juzi tu alikuja Bien Tanzania na Watu wamempokea kwa Upendo na Kufanya kazi na Wasanii Mbalimbali… Afrika Mashariki ni Nchi zinazoishi kwa Upendo na Ushirikiano, jitahidi kuhamasisha Upendo na Ushirikiano na kuweka bidii, instead ya kuwafunza wasanii watuwekee chuki maana sio solution ya Kufanikiwa,” Diamond wrote, urging Eric Omondi to focus on fostering unity and hard work instead of stoking animosity.
The Tanzanian star also dismissed claims of unfair treatment at Furaha City Fest, accusing Willy Paul of creating drama for publicity.
“Siwezi kusema Waandaaji walipatia kila jambo, ila Kiukweli kwenye show ya jana Organizers hawakuweka Ubaguzi kwa Wasanii kwa Kenya Kabisa…Kina @khaligraph_jones na Wasanii mbalimbali walifanya Show zao vizuri sana, na Waliua sana…
“Uhalisia ni Kwamba kijana alikua anaforce kutengeneza kiki Hususan ya Kumuhusisha “Diamond” ili apate Trends , and we all know he has been trying to do that through social media for a while ila nampotezea, Hivyo jana aliona maybe ndio Golden Chance yake, so he tried to create vitu mbalimbali to get my attention, kulazimisha kuonekana labda anaonewa ama Kadhurumiwa just to get the Public sympathy Trends, na ndiomaana yeye hataji mtu yoyote, kila sentence anataja Diamond tu as if I was the Event Orgerniser😅… But the Truth is vyote ni vya Uongo!
“Kesho nitaweka Official Statement yangu ya Kila kilichotokea hadi kufikia Performance yangu kutofanyika,” Diamond explained.
Diamond’s manager, Sallam SK Mendez, echoed this sentiment, claiming that the fracas arose when Willy Paul disrupted Zuchu’s scheduled performance after refusing to perform during his own slot.
According to Mendez, Willy Paul had initially refused to perform when it was his turn, insisting on being the headliner and wanting to end the show.
However, when Zuchu was about to perform, Mendez says Willy Paul attempted to force his way onto the stage causing the fracas.
“Nadhani ifike mahali wasanii muwekeze bidii kwenye kazi, kufeki story sababu ya fame ya kulazimisha bifu ili kutrend haisaidii, Msanii aitwae Willy aseme ukweli alikuwa anabishana na mtoto wa kike ( Zuchu ) aliblock njia Zuchu asipande kwenye steji akisema alikuwepo tokea mwanzo hivyo anataka apande yeye, ilhali wakati zamu yake aliitwa apande kwenye stage aligoma na kusema hawezi kupanda yeye ni Headliner anataka Afunge show Mwisho, baada ya kuona wenzake wanapata shangwe akawa anforce kupanda kwenye Muda wa Zuchu na wala sio Diamond. Regarding why Diamond hajapanda is between us and organizer has nothing to do na msanii yoyote. Bless Up 🙏🏽,” Mendez wrote on Instagram.
Wamae’s call for unity
Amid the escalating tensions, Justina Wamae appealed for unity, emphasizing the potential of the broader East African market.
Sharing her insights on X (formerly Twitter), Wamae highlighted the combined population of over 506 million people in East Africa, urging artists to focus on the region’s economic opportunities rather than internal divisions.
She noted that a united East Africa offers immense opportunities for artists to expand their reach and revenue streams, far surpassing what they could achieve by focusing solely on their home countries.
“Regarding the weekend drama at Furaha City Fest, looking at the numbers;
1. The total population in Kenya is 56,432,944
2. The total population in Tanzania is 68,560,157
3. Whilst, the total population of Eastern Africa is 506,202,136
“Everything else held constant, from a sales perspective:- focusing on closing deals and generating revenue, where is the money? I say in the 506,202,136.
“The bigger picture should be focusing on the Total Available Market so as to increase a brand’s market share in the region…… It’s not us vs them, because there’s something for everyone, if only the policies and legislations influenced allow everyone to thrive,” Wamae wrote in X.
She cautioned against focusing on petty rivalries and emphasized the importance of collaboration over division.
“Never lose sight of the bigger picture which is 506,202,136 the Total Available Market in East Africa ONLY. Ng’ombe hazijawahi maliziana nyasi, na sidhani zitawahi!” she added captioning Diamond’s reply to Eric Omondi’s post.
