Fresh twist in Samidoh’s ‘Toxic Love ‘strike down from YouTube
The track, which by the time it was removed from the video platform had garnered a whopping 4.7 million views, was brought down after a copyright infringement complaint by Kenyan gospel artiste SK Ruri.
The controversy surrounding the pulling down from YouTube of the chart-topping song Wendo wa Ihera (Toxic Love) by celebrated mugithi star Samuel Muchoki Ndirangu alias Samidoh has taken a fresh twist, after IyesAfrica Limited moved to distance itself from any accusations that it was behind the strike down.
The track, which by the time it was removed from the video platform had garnered a whopping 4.7 million views, was brought down after a copyright infringement complaint by Kenyan gospel artiste SK Ruri.
Ruri had alleged that Samidoh’s hit song had an uncanny resemblance to his 2020 gospel track Thutha wa Maundu. He further claimed that the melody was replicated across all four verses and interludes, sparking a heated legal battle over intellectual property rights.
The song Thutha wa Maundu’s video features comedian Morey Wakibiru, who is managed by IyesAfrica, hence the firm’s swift response to disassociate itself from the drama involving SK Ruri and Samidoh.
“For clarity, Thutha wa Maundu is a song by SK Ruri. IyesAfrica Ltd had no ownership or control over this song. Our only engagement in relation toThutha wa Maundu was facilitating the hiring of the brand character “Bwana Francis Church Secretary”, portrayed by Morey Wakibiru, for which SK Ruri duly paid Sh50,000,” says the management firm in a statement.
It has further urged any concerned party that might want further information concerning the controversy between Samidoh and SK Ruri to contact them directly, as it was not involved in the matter in any way.
“IyesAfrica Ltd remains committed to professionalism and transparency in all its dealings. Any claims suggesting our involvement in the alleged actions regarding Toxic Love are unfounded and misleading.” The stated read in part.
Ruri had claimed that he had reached out to Samidoh on Christmas Eve of 2024 via WhatsApp, in a bid to seek clarification over the alleged resemblance of their songs, but Samidoh chose to brush him off as one who was just after some clout.
Unwilling to let the matter slide, Ruri escalated the issue by filing a formal complaint with the Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) and lodging a copyright strike with YouTube.
And after a rigorous three-week review, YouTube sided with Ruri, issuing a seven-day takedown notice before removing Wendo wa Ihera for violating copyright rules.
In a phone call with The Informer Media Group today, Samidoh was unwilling to comment on the issue. “I cannot talk about that right now. I am busy going for an interview at Kameme FM. Maybe we talk later,” he said before hurriedly hanging up the phone.
The mugithi maestro is known for his other hit jams including Ndiiri Mutwe, Murata wa Ngai, Ihuha-Wendo wi Cama, Tuhii Twitu, Riari Itheru, and Wendo Maguta.
