NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan comedian and activist Eric Omondi has warned artists and social media influencers against becoming voices for the government, arguing that entertainers should remain connected to ordinary citizens regardless of who holds power.
Omondi made the remarks during a JKLive discussion on Citizen TV on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as he debated the increasingly visible role of influencers in government communication and political conversations.
The comedian said artists should use their platforms to reflect the concerns of society rather than speak on behalf of those in power.
“I think artists must always stand with the people no matter the government, because governments come and go,” Omondi said.
He described artists as a mirror of society and said their position should remain rooted in the experiences of ordinary Kenyans.
“Msanii ni kioo cha jamii, so they must always stand and fight for the people,” he said.
Omondi went further to question whether artists should take up roles that involve defending or promoting government positions.
“I don’t think it’s wise for an artist to speak on behalf of the government,” he said.
The discussion also focused on influencers who have increasingly used their platforms to highlight government projects and programmes. Omondi challenged creators involved in such campaigns to be more open about what they are promoting and the position they are taking.
“As an influencer, you must be proud of your product. Come out and stop beating about the bush,” he said.
His comments come amid a wider debate in Kenya over the relationship between social media personalities, government institutions and political communication.
Several influencers and content creators have recently featured government projects and programmes on their platforms, prompting discussions about whether their content amounts to ordinary coverage, paid work, political endorsement or a combination of the three.
The debate has also raised questions about how much transparency audiences should expect when influencers promote public-sector programmes or political messages.
Omondi’s position is that artists should remain on the side of the public even when administrations change.
