The Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM) has responded to boyband Sauti Sol after playing their song ‘Extravaganza’ during the unveiling of their running mate. yesterday, Monday, May 16.

Through a post shared across their official social media platforms, ODM said they played the song out of the love and support they have for the boy band, clarifying that they did not have ill intentions.

“We would like to assure our celebrated musical team@sautisol that we love them & appreciate their music so much.The group has carried our country’s flag so high in international fora and every Kenyan appreciates this. Playing their song yesterday was a show of love for their work,” ODM wrote.

The party's sentiments follow after the band which comprises Polycarp Otieno, Willis Austin Chimano, Mudigi Savara, and Bien-Aime Baraza, threatened to sue Azimio la Umoja coalition for using the song without consent.

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.”

The group 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.

They 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.