Kenyan musician Akothee is free to perform in South Sudan, an official from the country’s Embassy in Nairobi has indicated.
Mr Peter Jok said the reported banning of the controversial musician from setting foot in South Sudan is fabricated.
He was responding to an article published on Jubaeye.net, which claimed that the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Nadia Arop Dudi, rejected Akothee’s application to perform in the country.
According to the South Sudan publication, Dr Dudi claimed that Akothee is “too immoral”, “a “bad influence” and “lacks self-respect”.
“I watched Akothee’s performances on YouTube, and with the way she immorally behaves on stage, I conclude she is not the right musician to entertain our youth,” a quote attributed to Dr Dudi read in part.
Reached for comment, Akothee responded to the rumors saying: “Where is South Sudan? I don’t even know where that country is from Kenya. I haven’t sought permission to go perform there. However, if they want my services, tell them that I charge Sh1.5 million for a single show. Honestly, guys have been on my case and I wouldn’t want to respond to unsubstantiated gossip spreading on social media. I am not in the right state of mind now, excuse me, kindly.”
And now, the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has released a statement to clarify the reports.
“The minister [of culture and youth] is not involved, whatsoever, in approving or rejecting artistes’ application to perform in South Sudan. I have read the quotes attributed to Dr Dudi, and I want to confirm that they are fabricated. Akothee has not, in any way, been stopped from headlining shows in South Sudan. What was published on that website [Jubaeye] are purely lies founded on desperation for eyeballs,” said Peter Jok.
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