Eddie Butita, the popular Kenyan comedian, found himself in hot water after being criticized online by fans regarding his response to the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
A significant number of Kenyans were left feeling that Butita, a close friend of President William Ruto, should have taken a bold stand against the legislation, but his choice to remain silent on the issue has sparked controversy.
Fans of the comedian expressed their displeasure by unfollowing him on Instagram and unsubscribing from his YouTube channel, suggesting that his failure to oppose the finance bill had consequences for his fanbase.
In a revealing interview with Betty Kyallo on TV47 on Friday might August 2, 2024, Butita confronted the backlash, stating that he was unaffected by the pressure from fans.
He acknowledged that he had his own concerns about the Finance Bill and had taken the step of communicating those concerns directly to the President’s office.
Critiquing fellow celebrities who publicly rejected the bill, Butita noted that many were simply attempting to please their audience rather than truly caring about the direction of the country.
“Hutawaifurahisha watu, there are many celebrities that rejected the Finance Bill because they want to make fans happy, not even it’s about the direction Kenyans want to take and because mimi sitaki mafans wanicancel,” Butita said.
He detailed the pressure he received from peers in the entertainment industry, who urged him to speak out against the bill.
He described how he felt their encouragement was more about setting him up for public approval than fostering real dialogue about the finance bill.
“Maceleb wenye ni beste wangu wengi walikua wananipigia simu kuniambia ‘ehh sasa ingia useme nini useme nini’ na ukiangalia intension ya msee kitu ananiambia niseme has nothing to do with Finance Bill, yeye anataka kuniset up,” he explained.
Ultimately, while Butita did express his own opposition to the bill, the negative backlash he encountered led him to take a break from social media.
His story sheds light on the complex interplay between personal beliefs, celebrity influence, and the expectations placed upon public figures in today’s digital age.
Related: “Business Has Been Good Since Ruto Mentioned Me” Eddie Butita Opens Up
