Kenyan musician Bahati is once again at the center of public attention-this time, not for a chart-topping song or flashy performance, but for his fashion choice.
On Tuesday evening, the artist posted a photo of himself dressed in clothes belonging to his wife, social media influencer and singer Diana Marua. The post, shared across several platforms, quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from both supporters and critics.
“Your artist! Bahati rocking on Diana’s clothes,” the caption read, accompanied by a laughing emoji and fire symbol. By Wednesday morning, the image had racked up over 22,000 views on X (formerly Twitter) and was trending in Kenya.
But not everyone was amused.
“He’s out of the closet,” one user posted.
“What do his kids think of him?” asked another.
Several others used the moment to question his masculinity or link the move to broader culture wars, with one tweet claiming, “An abomination”, while another suggested he was “being used to push the LGBTQYZ agenda.”
The backlash reflects deep divisions in Kenyan society, where topics such as gender roles, sexuality, and family values remain highly sensitive.
Still, not all the responses were hostile. Some users called the criticism exaggerated and outdated. Others defended Bahati’s right to express himself, noting the growing global acceptance of men experimenting with fashion beyond traditional norms.
“They want attention and you’re giving them free adverts,” one user wrote, hinting at the idea that the couple—both known for their content creation—might be courting controversy on purpose.
Bahati and Diana have not issued an official response to the backlash, but this is far from their first brush with online criticism. The couple has built a brand out of documenting their family life, often blurring the line between private and public.
About the Author
