Outgoing Japan Ambassador to Kenya Ryoichi Horie performed Eric Wainaina’s song at State House before President Uhuru Kenyatta sparking a mixed reaction.

The envoy amazed President Uhuru with his mastery of Swahili when he performed ‘Mkenya Daima’ composed by the celebrated Wainaina.

While many people lauded Horie’s performance, Boniface Mwangi came out to reveal that ‘Mkenya Daima’ composer Wainaina couldn’t even step to State House to perform there.

According to controversial activist, President Uhuru banned Wainaina from performing at state functions because he was opposed to his election in 2013.

Mwangi said ahead of 2013 polls, Wainaina published an opinion piece in a local newspaper saying he couldn’t endorse Uhuru and William Ruto who were facing criminal charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Hague, Netherlands.

“@EricWainaina’s Daima song at @StateHouseKenya is that Eric is banned from State events. Eric wrote an op-Ed for The Star newspaper in 2013 saying he can’t vote for 2 men accused of crimes against humanity. Uhuruto’s government blacklisted him,” Boniface Mwangi tweeted.

I’m informed this is the Japanese ambassador performing @StateHouseKenya but my point still stands. One of the best Kenya’s musician of my generation @EricWainaina can’t perform at State events for speaking truth to power. Uhuruto’s government punished Eric for saying the truth! https://t.co/QgCafIv25h

— The People’s Watchman (@bonifacemwangi) December 8, 2021