By Anderson Ojwang
For decades, Kenyans of all shades and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters volunteered and gave their best to the party leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.
For Raila, it was organic, and the people volunteered, donated, sacrificed, and died without any hesitation. It was a mission of and for a purpose.
Raila led, and the masses followed. With their sweat, pain, and soul, they sacrificed for Raila and ODM.
With Raila’s demise, the equation changed from volunteering to payment for any service – from DJ service to renting crowds for rallies.
Tip of the iceberg
This week, Kenyans and the world have been treated to the drama over non-payment of DJ Pinto Cahil for the last eight gig services he offered to the party.
ODM, founded on the tenets of advocating for human rights, found itself contrary to its mission and vision after a service provider demanded his right.
DJ Pinto wrote on his social media platforms: “HAKI YANGU IS ALL I ASK FOR. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
He listed the functions for which the party had not paid for his services, including: Ragumo Rally in Kisumu – not paid; Migori Rally – only transport of Sh7,000 was given; Narok Rally – also Sh7,000; Nairobi Special Delegates Conference – payment was made; Bondo Kango Ka Jaramogi party leader declaration – he was not paid; fundraising at Nyanza Golf Club – not paid; aspirants’ meeting at Royal Swiss – he was not paid; and Kisumu Wabiro Mega Rally – was not paid.
He went ahead to ask: “How much is enough?”
Fighting on
The DJ escalated his complaint to Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor Jalang’o over non-payment for his services.
“Good morning. It’s not right at all… Mweshimiwa Jalas, please pick up my calls. After the rally, I have been trying to reach out to you, and it seems you are too busy to communicate. Please boss… PAY ME. I have a big family to take care of. I have siblings who need school fees. I have my bills to sort out. Acheni hii ushenzi na upuzi mnafanya. After you have been entertained, paying DJs becomes hard for you, why? My laptop was hit by the sun at that rally, now it is damaged; I cannot go to work. No one cares,” he wrote.
Jalang’o responded to the DJ’s post, saying the mistake the DJ made was offering services without a formal contract from the party.
“I have spoken to DJ Cahill regarding his claims that ODM owes him payment for services rendered at several rallies. According to him, he voluntarily attended and performed at these events without being formally engaged or contracted by anyone from the party,” he wrote.
Jalang’o warned artists to ensure they have formal and written agreements before they provide their services.
“This serves as an important lesson for artists and service providers: never undertake professional work without a clear agreement in place. Always ensure there is a contract outlining the scope of work and payment terms, and where possible, secure payment before delivering your services. Professional engagements require professional arrangements to avoid misunderstandings and disputes. All said, I’ll get him the money he has requested,” he wrote.
“Wapi DJ? Hatuna DJ”
The first reality check that hit ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga was the absence of a DJ after the faction allied to Secretary General Edwin Sifuna moved away with Raila’s revered DJ to their fold.
At the function, Dr Oburu screamed: “Wapi DJ? DJ, DJ hakuna DJ? DJ ako wapi?” and then he sang “Leo ni leo,” then reverted, “DJ hakuna, leo ni leo,” as the crowd burst into laughter.
In a recent interview with Citizen Digital, DJ Spice said he was now allied to Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi group, declaring his unwavering support for the splinter group and revealing that, even before joining the Sifuna-led brigade, he had not been playing at Linda Ground rallies anyway.
“I had been away from Linda Ground for a long time. I didn’t play at the Homa Bay rallies or elsewhere. It suddenly became an issue after I joined Edwin Sifuna in Busia. I’m fully affiliated with the Linda Mwananchi team!” he said.
But the Oburu faction’s Secretary General, Catherine Omanyo, wrote on her X handle: “Tuko na DJ. The new ODM DJs are DJ Ibra and DJ Pinto Cahil,” which drew mixed reactions in the comment section.
Some wrote: “Kindly heal; you are posting some rookie DJs from who knows where, always cheapening the discussion at every turn.”
Pay your DJ
Sifuna, while contributing in the Senate, took issue with Oburu’s wing for failing to pay the DJ and threatened to recruit him for Linda Mwananchi.
“Lipe ni DJ, or you will find him in Thika on Sunday at the Linda Mwananchi function,” he said.
After the Narok rally, ODM posted on its social media platforms: “And the DJ is not disappointing.”
Kisumu rally
ODM spent Sh200 million to mobilise the Kisumu rally, and the organisers held consultative meetings for three weeks to ensure the event was a success.
For the first time in history, ODM spent millions of shillings to mobilise people for a rally in its stronghold of Nyanza.
According to Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda, each MP was given Sh500,000–Sh600,000, while the MCAs received Sh100,000 for mobilisation.
For Oburu and his team, the era of volunteerism and freebies in ODM is over. Now it is payment for service. A new chapter, a new dawn.
