The arrest of Mugithi star Waithaka wa Jane in Germany has not only fueled speculation online but also sparked fresh drama involving fellow musician Samidoh and a promoter who claimed he was responsible for the singer’s rise to fame.
Did a promoter really make Samidoh famous?
The debate began after Waithaka’s detention in Germany, initially reported as a drug-related arrest but later linked to visa complications. As Kenyans online discussed the incident, an events promoter named Maina entered the conversation with sharp criticism of artists.
Maina singled out Samidoh, insisting that he had been the one who elevated the singer to international stages by booking shows and linking him with industry players. He accused Samidoh of betrayal, recalling how the artist allegedly canceled a German performance to sing in Juba just five days before the event. Maina further described Samidoh as greedy, even hurling insults at him.
How did Samidoh respond to the accusations?
Samidoh did not hold back in his reply, challenging the promoter’s claims and defending his record. “Starting a conversation with an artiste doesn’t mean you are in a marriage setup. You said I was never known, and you made me popular. If I may ask, how did you know I existed and am not one of your family members? It would be wise of you to make yourself or any of your kin popular before you extend the same grace,” he wrote.
The Mugithi star also clarified that visa delays had prevented him from honoring the German booking and criticized the promoter’s decision to advertise a show before securing travel documents. “It is foolish of you to start advertising a show before the visa is out. That will cost you big,” he added.
Rejecting the greed accusations, Samidoh recalled a past encounter where he paid for the promoter and his wife’s lunch, questioning the basis of the allegations. He also dismissed the notion that Maina was his gateway to Germany, noting he had already performed there three times independently. “You are an opportunist using another man’s misfortune to gain fame. Issues zenyu as promoters hakuna mahali artiste anakujia honestly,” Samidoh concluded.
The fiery exchange has since gone viral, fueling heated debates online about the often-tense relationships between artists and promoters in Kenya’s entertainment scene.
By Risper Akinyi
