In a significant development within the Kikuyu music scene, Samidoh’s popular song “Wendo Wa Ihera” (Toxic Love) has been removed from YouTube following a copyright infringement complaint. Artists SK Ruri and Morey Wakibiru from Kirinyaga filed the complaint, alleging that Samidoh’s song closely mirrored the melody of their track “Thutha wa Maundu,” released six months prior.
According to SK Ruri and Morey Wakibiru, multiple attempts were made to reach out to Samidoh to address the issue amicably, but they claim he was uncooperative. Consequently, they escalated the matter to YouTube, resulting in the platform removing “Wendo Wa Ihera” on the afternoon of Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Prior to its removal, “Wendo Wa Ihera” had achieved remarkable success, becoming the most-watched Kikuyu song. It trended at number one for an entire week and garnered over 4 million views. The song, released on December 10, 2024, delved into themes of love and betrayal, leading many to speculate that it was inspired by Samidoh’s personal experiences.
This incident is not the first time comedian Morey Wakibiru has found himself amidst controversy. Recently, he has been in the spotlight due to a public dispute with his child’s mother, who is also a well-known comedian.
For those interested in the song at the center of this dispute, “Thutha wa Maundu” by SK Ruri and Morey Wakibiru here is the link be the judge.
This case underscores the importance of originality and respect for intellectual property in the music industry. It also highlights the challenges artists face in protecting their creative works and the potential repercussions of copyright disputes.
