Eric Omondi Warns Influencers Against Speaking For Government: “Msanii Ni Kioo Cha Jamii”

Kenyan comedian and activist Eric Omondi has stepped into the ongoing debate over the political responsibility of public figures, insisting that artists and influencers must unconditionally side with ordinary citizens rather than align with political regimes.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Omondi asserted that entertainers hold a civic duty to reflect and amplify societal struggles instead of serving as mouthpieces for the state.

“I think artists must always stand with the people no matter the government, because governments come and go,” Omondi said. “Msanii ni kioo cha jamii, so they must always stand and fight for the people.”

Omondi cautioned creators against defending or marketing government programs, arguing that doing so compromises their role as the voice of the public. Addressing influencers who engage in state branding, he urged them to take clear ownership of their commercial and political partnerships instead of masking them:

“I don’t think it’s wise for an artist to speak on behalf of the government,” he stated. “As an influencer, you must be proud of your product. Come out and stop beating about the bush.”

A Clash of Perspectives: Omondi vs. Mutua

Omondi’s remarks directly counter the position taken by filmmaker and storyteller Abel Mutua, who recently defended creators who partner with or support President William Ruto’s administration.

Mutua had argued that creators are entitled to individual political freedom and cautioned citizens against relying on influencers to form their political views.

“An influencer is well within their rights to support however they want,” Mutua maintained. “Why are you letting an influencer make decisions for you? You know where the shoe pinches; you make the decisions.”

Mutua also questioned why pro-government creators face unique public outrage when many citizens interact with state entities in other sectors, posing: “Why castigate someone for influencing for the government, yet everybody else is working for the government in some way?”

The Debate Over Digital Civic Duty

The contrasting stances between Omondi and Mutua highlight a growing ideological divide within Kenya’s creative economy. On one side, Omondi advocates for artists as permanent advocates for the populace against power structures. On the other, Mutua champions political neutrality, individual choice, and the rights of creators to treat their platforms as personal or business enterprises without public moral policing.