The monstrous murder of LGBTQ member Edwin Chiloba whose body was found stashed inside a metallic box has opened a huge online debate over the queer community in the country.
Of those who condemned the heinous act was Sauti Sol, whose one member Willis Chimano came out publicly as gay last year after many years of hibernating.
Just a week before Chiloba’s murder, Sauti Sol vocalist and producer Savara Mudigi gave a radio interview revealing how they always set out to protect their ‘brother’ Chimano.
Savara gave an account of an incident that he said happened six years ago when they roughed up one of the revelers at an event after he assaulted Chimano because of his sexuality.
The incident Savara was referring to happened in 2013 (9 years ago) when it was reported that bouncers had assaulted Sauti Sol at a local university they had been scheduled to perform.
The band had gone for a show at Mount Kenya University. While at the backstage VIP tent, awaiting to get on stage, Chimano temporarily stepped out to relieve himself, where he was accosted by a stranger and punched in the face.
“When he returned, Chimano had a burst lip and was bleeding profusely. He told us what had happened, and that’s the moment I realized the extent of our brotherhood bond,” Savara narrated.
The boys including the calmest of the group, Polycarp Otieno, Bien-Aime Baraza, Chimano and Savara decided to take matters into their own hands.
“We went searching for the guy, he hadn’t gotten any further. I know this is shameful to say but I remember Bien descending on him with might. We unleashed a retaliatory beating on him before leaving the scene.”
After beating up the offender, Savara summoned his troops and fled the scene in his car without performing.
They, however, were stopped by the bouncers at the gate as they fled but somehow managed to leave without the incident stealing headlines.
Ever since, Savara says they have always been out to protect Chimano.
The producer added that since Chimano went public with his sexuality, the band’s brand has never been affected.
He stated that Chimano has since grown a thick skin to online bullies.