)
)
Celebrated radio presenter and musician Gidi has addressed allegations circulating on social media that he lost over 10,000 YouTube subscribers following his performance at the 2024 Jamhuri Day celebrations.
The claims surfaced amidst backlash directed at various artistes who performed at the government-organised event.
Jamhuri Day Performances
The Jamhuri Day celebrations featured a star-studded entertainment lineup that included some of Kenya’s most renowned music acts.
)
)
)
)
Artistes such as Daddy Owen, Esther Wahome, Mejja, P-Unit, Jaguar, Jua Cali, DNA, and Mr Lenny graced the occasion, delivering iconic hits that have defined their musical careers.
However, their performances did not sit well with some Kenyans who are critical of the current regime. A section of netizens vowed to unfollow and boycott the artistes who participated, accusing them of aligning with the government.
The backlash extended beyond social media. Some artistes such as Daddy Owen reported having their personal contact information leaked online, resulting in a flood of insults and criticism.
)
Gidi’s response
Despite the uproar, Gidi became one of the central figures in the controversy, with claims emerging that he had suffered a significant loss of YouTube subscribers.
Addressing the allegations on his Facebook account, Gidi dismissed them as baseless and unfounded, accusing bloggers and TikTok content creators of spreading fake news to generate attention.
I have seen some TikTokers and bloggers using this fake story in their commentaries. I am not active on YouTube, and I have never had 10,000 subscribers. I don’t monetise social media; I only use it for social commentary. I am only active on Facebook. Watch out and ignore fake news created by people looking for likes and clickbait online.
)
His clarification sought to put the matter to rest, emphasising that he has no substantial presence on YouTube and does not depend on social media platforms for income.
The fallout from the Jamhuri Day celebrations shows a growing trend where public figures and entertainers face scrutiny for their perceived political affiliations. For many Kenyans, the participation of these artistes in government events is seen as a tacit endorsement of the administration.
The artistes, however, argue that their involvement is purely professional and not politically motivated.