David Barasa, the leader of the famous Webuye Juakali Band has
made history by being the first well known musician in Kenya to be
elected into political office in the just concluded polls.
Barasa
won the Kimilili County Ward representative seat on a New Ford Kenya
ticket after garnering 2 203 votes against his closest competitor
Mwanahamisi Kombo of Ford Kenya who got 1 603 votes.
“It was no
walk in the park; many people tried to write me off because of the
misconception that music artists are not serious people, my other
colleagues like Ringtone Apoko tried their hand in politics and failed,
but I am happy the residents of Kimilili gave me a chance,” an elated
Barasa told the media.
Barasa’s award winning Webuye Jua kali
band has produced hit songs which have been slogans in different
political camps all over the country.
'My Dear Khumbolela Siina’
(which translates to: What do you say my dear?) is an example of one of
his popular love songs that has received unprecedented airtime in almost
all political rallies.
“That song was been like an anthem in all the major rallies even in Nairobi and in different presidential camps," said Barasa.
‘Mudavadi Kobolaa’ is his other hit song he specifically composed for the Amani coalition presidential candidate.
In the piece, he pleads with Mudavadi to come home and also asks Western Kenya leaders to support his bid.
“It
is sad that the Luhya leaders whose names I mentioned in the song
disregarded my message; it is not surprising that Mudavadi therefore
performed dismally," he laments.
Barasa admitted that his rivals tried to paint him as an outsider in reference to his band name Webuye Jua Kali.
He however disputed the claims by telling the electorate that he only went to Webuye town to look for a living.
The
artist said that it is through rubbing shoulders with who's who in
Kenya’s political scene that inspired him to go for the elective seat.
He
added that composing political songs forced him to do a background
check and research on the current and past leaders which further
energized his resolve to gun for the seat.
“Singing is just a
talent like running or any other, and you have seen an athlete has been
elected an MP in Cherangany. Let people not look down upon us; talented
people can also be leaders,” he said.
Top on his agenda amongst
others, he says was to see that the fast growing town that has witnessed
a fair share of insecurity incidences in the recent past is safe and
secure.
“I will see to it that street lights are put up in the
major streets in Kimilili town and its environs, and also ensure there
is clean running water,” he said.
Will he stop singing or composing hit songs now that he will be busy serving wananchi in his new position?
“Doing music is in blood, I cannot stop doing that. My fans should n
