Veteran Kikuyu benga musician Joseph Kariuki alias Kariuki Wa Kiarutara is embroiled in a vicious war over a mugithi name with two members of his family.
Kariuki is nicknamed after Kiarutara, is a village in Gatanga constituency in Murang’a county which he comes from, and is popular for his rich music composition where he spices his lyrics with traditional Kikuyu proverbs, idioms and sayings.
The leader of Kiarutara Mwanzo Boys Band music career spuns for over 40 years having recorded his first song in 1984.
Kariuki’s popular hits include Uturo Ni Muritu, Waruhiti, Njohera, Kwanyu Ndigacooka, Mbari Ya Mwenda Njeri, Utheri Ni Mwoneku, My Brother, Kamau Kabugugi any many more.
Now, the musician has raised a complain of an impersonater using his songs and name to secure shows and sign deals with unsuspecting parties.
In a video which has been circulating on social media, Kariuki gave the imposter seven days to pull down his songs from YouTube and apologize failure to which he would be taken to court over copyright infringement.
It has emerged that there are two musicians, who are actually his nephews, using a version of his name in the music industry.
Eliud Mungai Kahiu goes by the stage name Kiarutara Junior while his younger brother, Samuel Kariuki Kahiu, goes by Kariuki Wa Kiarutara Junior.
They are sons of Kariuki’s eldest brother and have been in the industry for quite some time with Mungai recording his first song in 2009 while his sibling producing his in 2023.
Mungai has come out to distance himself from the accusations saying it is his brother Kariuki who is using his uncle’s songs and name for personal gain.
In an interview with Thee Hub YouTube channel, he explained his uncle allowed him to use the name ‘Kiarutara Junior’ and he registered with the Kenya Copyright Board in 2009.
“I work with my uncle in his band and we are in very good terms. What this imposter has done is very wrong and he should just apologize or risk being sued. Kariuki senior is a polite and respected elder and when you see him complaining on social media know he is very bitter about that person infringing on his rights,” Mungai said.
By Newshub