NCIC Summons ‘Arap Ruto’ Hitmaker Marakwet Daughter Over Disparaging Song Lyrics

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Millicent Jerotich Kipkorir, alias Marakwet Daughter for the lyrics in her latest song dubbed ‘Arap Ruto.’

In a statement on February 5, the authority claimed that the song lyrics were likely to incite feelings of ethnic contempt, hatred, and hostility.

“Pursuant to the above-mentioned mandate, the Commission is investigating the words used in your hit song; ‘Arap Ruto’,” part of the statement read.

“Words which are likely to incite feelings of ethnic contempt, hatred, and hostility and affect harmonious coexistence between different ethnic communities in Kenya, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) and Section 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.”

She was ordered to appear before the commission on February 5 to aid in investigations into the matter.

Marakwet Daughter, a local musician who gained fame last year over her popular song, ‘Mali Safi Chito,’ changed tact in her latest song, choosing the political route instead.

In the song, she addresses President William Ruto directly, lamenting the plight of Kenyans and asking him to tell Kenyans where they went wrong in electing him.

“Arap Ruto, when did we wrong you? Where? Tell us. Speak up,” she sings in her chorus before continuing, “You buried pity in Sugoi and humanity in Kapchagir.”

In the course of the five-minute and six-second song, the singer switches between Swahili, Kalenjin, and the English language as she outlines areas she believes the President has failed in.

Among the areas she mentioned in the song are the introduction of the competency-based curriculum (CBC), the replacement of the Higher Educational Loans Board (HELB) with the new university funding model, and the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) in place of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

The music video, which dropped less than two weeks ago, has already garnered over 164,000 views on YouTube and features clips of the president in public rallies across the country.

The musician joins a long list of prominent individuals who have been summoned recently by NCIC over disparaging remarks on the government as well as the ongoing abductions.

They include Webuye West Member of Parliament (MP) Dan Wanyama, who was recently summoned for making remarks calling for the isolation of the Mount Kenya region.