The Ksh.19M was from controversial Furaha Fest
Following the disastrous Furaha Fest, Diamond Platnumz took to social media to clear the rumours surrounding his no-show act.
The Tanzanian star says he received $150,000 to headline but left without doing so. He will not be refunding the money.
Diamond Platnumz reacts
In the video meant for his supporters, Diamond says he does not like engaging in ‘foolish social media rumours’ but decided to share his side of the story because his motivation to make music is to bring recognition to the East Africa region.
He explained to fans his predicament as soon as he got to the venue for the performance, explaining that there was a lot of inexplicable commotion at the venue that he chose to stay out of.
“The security state of the venue was very questionable. I sat in my car waiting to be called to the stage for my performance.”
“I will sit in my car at the venue as I wait for the event organizer to call me to the stage. If my time for performing is up, I will leave the venue and I will not refund any money.”
He debunked claims by Kenyan artist Willy Paul who tearfully took to social media claiming that he was not allowed to go on stage before the Tanzanian singer who was to be the headliner.
“Willy Paul has been looking to provoke me on social media and I’ve been ignoring him. It would be foolish of me to do that. Does that even make sense?” he exclaimed.
“He was looking to forcefully go into other people’s shows which is why he was being barred.”
His manager later escorted him back to his hotel.
“It was early morning and too late to perform. The fans wouldn’t even be thrilled. My manager just took me back to the hotel.”
Willy Paul’s sentiments against Tanzanian artists
He also alleged that Willy Paul’s sentiments against Tanzanian artists seem to be a recurring theme in Kenya with the rule of 75% Kenyan music dominating the airwaves as opposed to music from other regions as evidence.
Joho chooses Willy Paul over Diamond Platnumz
Hassan Joho, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy and former Mombasa Governor, left fans in applauding for him during a recent interview.
This was just days after the Furaha Fest drama.
When asked to pick between Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz and Kenya’s own Willy Paul,
Joho didn’t hesitate. “Kufa na Kupona Pozze,” he declared, reaffirming his loyalty to the Kenyan artist.
Patriotism guided his decision
He emphasized that his patriotism guided his decision, explaining,
“I’m Kenyan first before anything else.”
He praised Willy Paul’s undeniable talent and lyrical prowess , while also acknowledging that, like all humans, the artist isn’t without flaws.
In a nostalgic moment, he recounted a time when Willy Paul performed for a whole month in his political campaigns.
The singer’s humility stood out, as he told Joho he would only accept what the politician could afford to pay.
The Legislator revealed that after hearing about recent challenges faced by Willy Paul, he immediately reached out.
“I told him, I,m only a phone call away if you need anything,’” Joho shared, showing his unwavering support for the artist.
Netizens flooded social media with admiration for Joho’s patriotism and his genuine support for local talent.
Many commended him for choosing to uplift a Kenyan star and standing firmly behind Pozze, regardless of the controversies surrounding him.
J His firm stand sent a clear message: Kenya’s own comes first, and supporting local talent is a priority.
Joho’s allegiance to Pozze has earned him applause as both a leader and a true patriot.
With his humorous yet heartfelt comments, Joho once again proved why he remains a beloved figure in Kenya.
