The hosts of Kenya’s popular podcast Mic Cheque Podcast have candidly explaining why they believe they have no business accepting invitations to State House.
During a discussion on a recent episode, the hosts openly criticized what they described as performative meetings between creatives and government officials, questioning whether such engagements ever lead to meaningful change or simply serve political interests.
One of the hosts made it clear from the onset that appearing at State House is not something they would casually entertain, especially considering their views on the current relationship between government and ordinary citizens.
“If we get an invite to State House, there has to be a solid reason why we’d honor that invite. Because otherwise, we have no business,” Chuxxy said firmly.
The hosts argued that many of these invitations appear more symbolic than productive, especially when the government already understands the challenges facing the creative industry but fails to implement solutions.
The discussion became more pointed when one host addressed the disconnect between State House photo opportunities and real outcomes for artists and content creators.
“They do invite people all the time. Musicians, for just pictures, and then have you ever seen anything come out of those meetings?” the host asked.
Rather than seeing such invitations as opportunities, the podcast hosts argued that some people chase proximity to political power because they believe it can fast-track personal success.
According to them, this desire to “rub shoulders” with influential leaders often clouds judgment and creates dangerous dependency.
One host suggested that some creatives may be willing to compromise their independence in exchange for financial favors or connections.
“There’s people who want to make it. They want to rub shoulders with such people. They want to get closer to power because they believe that is their way to success,” the host explained.
The hosts warned that accepting benefits from powerful political institutions can come at a hidden cost, especially if it compromises authenticity and freedom of expression.
“I don’t think I need to dine with the devil,” one host declared while rejecting the idea that getting close to power is necessary to create change.
As the conversation continued, the hosts questioned why government officials repeatedly seek meetings with creators when they already understand the challenges facing the sector.
In their view, leaders already know what needs to be fixed and do not need influencers or entertainers to repeat problems that have been obvious for years.
“They know all the problems you have. They know the solutions. They know what they need to do and they have the power… so they don’t need me in State House. Just do your job,” a host stated.
Their comments come amid increasing public scrutiny over relationships between celebrities, influencers, and political leaders, with many Kenyans questioning whether some high-profile State House visits serve public interest or personal gain.
