Sauti Sol Threaten to Sue Raila For 'Stealing' Song

Achieng Mary | 1 year ago
Sauti Sol

Boy band Sauti Sol has threatened to sue Azimio la Umoja coalition for using their song during the unveiling of their running mate held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Monday, May 16. 

Through a statement shared on their official social media pages, the group accused Azimio of using their song ‘Extravaganza’ without consent terming the act as blatant copyright infringement.

“The Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer and presidential candidate, the Right Hon. Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga's social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) have without license nor authority used one of our more popular original compositions, "Extravaganza," as a soundtrack to the announcement post of the running mate,” said the group in a statement issued Monday.

“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.”

Sauti Sol further expressed their disappointment in the Azimio la Umoja's blatant disregard of their copyright adding that they will seek legal address to settle the matter.

“We did 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,”  they wrote.

While expressing disappointment, the group which comprises Polycarp Otieno, Willis Austin Chimano, Mudigi Savara, and Bien-Aime Baraza, further distanced themselves from the coalition stating that they do not have any political affiliations regardless of positions promising to seek legal action against the coalition for violating their property rights.

“We are disappointed by the Azimio la Umoja campaign’s blatant disregard of our right to control the use of our copyright. We Shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright,” they wrote.




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