Statistics show that almost every other Kenyan, especially Nairobi dwellers, have at one point fallen victim to a con game. If you haven’t been conned yet, just chill, your day is coming.
Con schemes in Kenya do not spare anyone, including musicians who are always complaining about rogue promoters. One such artiste is veteran rapper Jua Cali, who recently recalled how a promoter swindled him of his hard earned cash in Busia.
The Genge King was responding to Willy M. Tuva on whether he has ever reached a point of giving up on music. Jua Cali said he has never but the incident in Busia dealt him a painful blow.
“Nilikua nimeenda show Busia… unajua iko kwa border. Kabla ya show ikakua lazima umaliziwe deposit, kama kawaida. Ikawa huyo jamaa yuko zile za “pigeni show buda hakuna noma. Club imejaa tulia, maliza show ntakulipa usiogope”. Tukapiga show,” said Jua Cali.
After performing, the promoter told Jua Cali to get some rest as he collects entry fees.
“Baada ya show Jamaa akakua sasa “unajua mlango bado watu wanaingia. Ni mahesabu sasa. Nyinyi endeni tu mulale. Nitakuja kukuamsha nikupatie pesa yako.” Tukasema ni sawa haina noma club ilikua imejaa.”
Jua Cali Shouldn’t Have Gone to Sleep
Agreeing to sleep proved to be Jua Cali’s greatest undoing; the promoter used the opportunity to flee to Uganda.
“Msee, niliamka asubuhi jamaa hakuja kuniamsha. Najaribu kumpigia simu ni ‘mteja wa nambari hapatikani kwa sasa’. Kumbe alienda Uganda. Alitoroka hio asubuhi na pesa,” recalled Jua cali, further adding, “Sasa ikabidi mdosi wa club aka amka. Ata aliamshwa na masimu akiambiwa wale wasanii wako bado wako hapa hawajalipwa.”
Although the club owner could not pay Jua Cali his fees, the best he could do was provide him with bus fare back to Nairobi.
“Akakuja kwa club akasema, “bahati mbaya contract haikuwa between yeye na promoter. Lakini mimi ile kitu nitafanya nitawapatia bus fare ya Eldoret Express murudi Nairobi.”
Jua Cali said the incident taught him a valuable lesson in the music business. “Hii ni biashara. Hakikisha tu jamaa amekulipa kabla upande stage kwa sababu uko hapo already. Jamaa tu akupe pesa yako,” he conluded.
