Ruto’s Son-In-Law Behind Davido’s Return to Kenya
20 February 2024
Nigerian artist Davido and President William Ruto's son-in-law Alexander Ezenagu. Photo/Instagram/Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
By Kinyua Mwangi
Alexander Ezenagu, the son-in-law of Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto is behind the return of award-winning Nigerian Afrobeats artist Davido to Kenya for Raha Fest.
Davido will perform at Uhuru Gardens on March 30 and 31 after six years since his second Kenyan concert, 30 Billion concert in 2018 still at Uhuru Gardens.
Ezenagu married President Ruto’s eldest daughter June Ruto in May 2021. Reports by Nairobi News indicate that Ezenagu is the main financier of Raha Fest together with his friends majority of whom are Nigerians.
"He is the financial backbone of Raha Fest, alongside a group of affluent associates, the majority of whom are Nigerians. They are personally funding the concert, with minimal external sponsorship. Notably, the sponsors affiliated with the event are closely linked to Ezenagu or his network," Nairobi News reports.
Among the limited sponsors on board are Martell, for which Davido serves as an ambassador, Radio Africa Group, with ties to Ezenagu's circle, and Zuri Health, associated with Ike Anoke, also known as Taurus Music CEO, within the entertainment industry.
Additionally, Vanguard, an upscale restaurant in Westlands, is listed as a sponsor, owned by none other than President Ruto's son-in-law.
Davido charged upwards of Ksh10 million for his 2018 concert from Ksh5,5 million which he pocketed in 2015 when he performed at Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi.
However, since 2018, Davido's fee has skyrocketed due to his music's widespread acclaim, even charting on the esteemed Billboard charts in Europe.
With his increasing fame, his performance fee rose significantly making it difficult for promoters who sought him to perform in Kenya.
The ‘Fall’ hitmaker has since increased his charges for international appearances and Raha Fest is reported to cost Ksh84.6 million ($600,000) for a single show.
He revealed in a YouTube video posted by American jewellery company Icebox in 2023 that he performs in fewer shows because not many people can afford to pay $600,000 for a single show.
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