•She Blasted the Organizers Over Event’s Supposed ‘False Ad’ Controversy on the Local Radio
Isiolo, Kenya| Popular Nairobi-based artist Sakina Vybz has publicly called out the organizers of the upcoming Sakuye Night event, set to take place on December 4, accusing them of dishonesty and unauthorized use of her name for promotion.
The artist, widely recognized for her impeccable covers of Oromo and Somali songs, took to TikTok in a fiery rant, expressing her frustration with the event organizers, Sky Odha Women Group.
She alleged that despite her not being booked for the event, her name was being used in advertisements, including on local radio stations.
Clash Over Performance Fees
Sakina, who has amassed tens of thousands of YouTube subscribers and millions of views on her music covers—including her rendition of “Gurba Borana”, based on Zaki Yare’s “Alla Quruxsanaa”, and “Naftu Raaxo Jecela”, originally by Saado Cali Warsame.
The artist made it clear to her fans that she would not be performing at the event and urged those who had planned to attend to see her ‘performance’ to ‘not waste their money getting a ticket’ as she would be a ‘no show’.
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She revealed that negotiations between her and the event organizers broke down over performance fees. According to Sakina, she quoted her rate, but the organizers failed to meet her demands, effectively ending any potential deal.
“As if that is not enough, they went ahead and promoted their event using my name on local radio,” she fumed in a passionate TikTok video delivered in the Afaan Oromoo dialect.
Fans Rally Behind Sakina Vybz
The controversy has ignited a heated debate among fans, with many from the Sakuye community expressing outrage over what they see as false advertising.
Some fans, who had initially planned to attend Sakuye Night specifically to see Sakina perform, have now vowed to boycott the event.
Further adding fuel to the fire, Sakina claimed that Sakuye Night was being misrepresented as a cultural event, when in reality, it was a fundraiser for Sky Odha Women Group.
Mixed Reactions From the Public
While a significant portion of her fanbase has backed her decision to go public, others believe such disputes should be handled behind closed doors rather than on social media.
Watch the video she put out on tiktok below(Reminder: the artist speaks in Afaan Oromoo)
Organizers Yet to Respond
As of the time of publishing this article, Sky Odha Women Group, the organizers of Sakuye Night, had not issued any official response regarding Sakina Vybz’s allegations.
It remains unclear whether they plan to address the controversy, clarify their position, or attempt to salvage the situation ahead of the event.
Despite the growing backlash from Sakina’s supporters, the group has remained silent, leaving many to speculate about their side of the story.
Whether they will come forward with a statement or let the issue fade away remains to be seen.
This latest controversy raises important questions about artist compensation, event promotion ethics, and transparency in the nascent northern Kenya entertainment and showbiz scene.
What do you think? Was Sakina Vybz right to air her grievances publicly? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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