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Renowned artist Collins Omondi Okello has expressed his frustration over the widespread misuse of his artwork depicting former prime minister Raila Odinga, which has gone viral.
The artist, whose tribute to Raila became a symbol of the political leader’s enduring influence, has called for proper acknowledgement and credit for his creative work after many individuals and businesses began using the image without crediting him, even erasing his watermark.
In an emotional post on Facebook, Omondi highlighted the challenges that many creatives in Kenya face when their work is exploited for profit without compensation.
He shared that his artwork, which had garnered significant attention, was being used on various platforms for commercial purposes without his consent.
“I have received so many concerns about the widespread use of my artwork for commercial purposes by so many businesses. It is disheartening, but it is the reality for creatives,” Omondi wrote.
Omondi stated that the artwork, which depicts Raila’s face emerging from the heavens, symbolising his ascension and eternal influence, was a personal tribute, not a commercial product.
The smaller image included in the piece features Raila with a raised fist, a gesture strongly associated with his political defiance and spirit.
“My main aim of doing this work was as a personal tribute to a global icon who is larger than life. It was not meant for commercial purposes, and even the few T-shirts I made were because of serious public demand,” he explained.
Despite the emotional and symbolic meaning behind the artwork, Omondi lamented how quickly it was commercialised, with posters, merchandise, and social media content featuring the image flooding the market, most of it without any mention of its creator.
Did Collins Omondi plead for monetary appreciation?
Omondi has asked Kenyans and businesses to respect his work by ensuring that his watermark remains intact when sharing the image or using it publicly.
He also encouraged those who can show their appreciation by offering support through platforms like M-Pesa, underscoring that recognition and financial appreciation are crucial for the sustainability of the creative industry in Kenya.
“You can support my work by keeping the watermark on when you share the image or acknowledge the artist. If you are generous, you can do it through M-Pesa,” Omondi said.
In a subsequent post, Omondi revealed Kenyans had responded positively to his plea.
He confessed that people had shown him support through calls, texts and M-Pesa.
“I underestimated the love people have for Baba! The amount of positive feedback I got from the art through calls, texts, messenger, WhatsApp messages and even M-Pesa is beyond what I have ever experienced in my 12-year professional career in art. May God bless you all and may Baba rest knowing he was adored. Baba, thank you
Did Collins Omondi meet Raila Odinga?
The relationship between Collins Omondi and Raila Odinga extends beyond this viral artwork.
Omondi has created five portraits of the late ODM leader over the years, with the first two born out of pure inspiration. In 2015, Raila personally invited Omondi to Nairobi to present one of his most famous portraits.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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