Sauti Sol threatens to Sue Azimio
Written by RadioVuna on May 17, 2022
Legal action has been threatened against the Azimio La Umoja coalition party by the popular Afropop boy band Sauti Sol for alleged copyright infringement.
Raila Odinga’s coalition incorporated their famous song ‘Extravaganza’ during the announcement of their presidential running mate on Monday at the KICC.
Raila Odinga, the head of the Azimio party, revealed Martha Karua as ‘Extravaganza’ played in the background during the broadcast occasion, a decision that the award-winning band claims was unapproved.
“The song “Extravaganza” was used as the soundtrack to an announcement post about Raila Odinga’s running mate without permission or authority from the Azimio la Umoja campaign or its flagbearer and presidential candidate, the Right Hon. Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga,” the group claimed in a statement released Monday.
“No permission was given to use this song by the Azimio La Umoja campaign to announce their Vice-Presidential candidate, nor did we license it.”
Additionally, the band’s members, Polycarp Otieno, Willis Austin Chimano, Mudigi Savara and Bien-Aime Baraza, alleged copyright infringement by the political group.
“A gross disrespect for our fundamental rights to property and freedom of association is shown here.” A statement from the band reads: They have taken away our ability to own and govern what is initially and completely our property. Azimio’s efforts have not been accepted by the band.
Sauti Sol said that they have no political ties and that they would take legal action against the Odinga-led team for infringing the band’s intellectual property rights, which they have stated they will do.
This campaign, its presidential aspirants, vice presidential aspirants, and candidates in general are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Azimio La Umoja Campaign or any other political movement or party. “We are completely non-partisan,” the statement stated.
“We will be taking legal action against this blatant breach of our copyright,” it said.
