Kevin Kioko, popularly known as Bahati, a musician turned politician, emerged third and lost in the Mathare MP race, as Antony Oluoch of ODM emerged victorious.
Bahati, yesterday took to social media: “I have been waiting to be declared the winner to be handed over the official certificate as the MATHARE MP ELECT!!!”
Meanwhile, fellow musician and former Gospel artist, Willy Paul, celebrated Bahati’s defeat via an Instagram post.
Mtoto wa Diana, has been through a roller coaster of events since he announced his interest to attain the Mathare MP seat.
We’ve got to give him a thumbs up for proceeding despite pressure from Jubilee to step down from contesting, in favour of the more popular candidate ODM’s Antony Oluoch.
In an earlier interview with Radio Citizen, Mtoto wa Diana, stated he had been offered a tune of up to Ksh50 million to step down from contesting the Mathare MP seat. He named the newly elected Mathare MP as one of those who approached him for support.
“We only have one candidate in Mathare, and that is Anthony Oluoch…” ODM Secretary General, Edward Sifuna said during a joint delegate meeting of Jubilee and ODM.
“This young man called Bahati is my younger brother and we will talk. I will make sure that we find him another position within the Azimio government.” We however wonder if this will still be the case citing the outcome of the election.
“Do not kill the hearts of the youth in Azimio” A tearful Bahati stated. “I will not step down, for someone that does not understand the problems of my people.” He asserted, making his stance on the matter known.
Afterwards, an ample amount of unprintable words were hurled back and forth between the singer and the ODM Secretary General. The beautiful Diana Marua was however a casualty of the crossfire.
In a video that did rounds on social media, we saw Bahati being gestured by Azimio leaders away from giving his speech at a rally in Mathare.
Despite all this, Bahati was gazetted in the list of candidates that were set to contest in the election by IEBC.
“ When Jesus says yes…nobody can say no!!!…it’s official that on the 9th of August 2022 I will be on the ballot,” an enthusiastic Bahati Tweeted.
The ‘mama’ hitmaker, later revealed that his wife Diana was expectant “It is not my withdrawal tactic that went wrong. I wish to clarify that it is Diana who doesn’t know her safe days,” expressed Bahati on Diana’s youtube channel.
“Bahati is my child, I will give him work in the government,” Raila stated during Azimio la Umoja campaign tour at Rwaraka, Mathare County. He then urged Mathare residents to vote in Anthony Oluoch for MP.
Bahati in a clip shared on his social media platforms, captioned “I don’t feel safe anymore…” alleging that he was accosted by goons sent by his opponent accompanied with threats that started even before the rally. He blamed his attendance at the Azimio Rally.
A week ago, in an interview with Tanzanian journalist, Millard Ayo, the singer-turned-politician revealed that he had so far used Ksh33 million in campaigning for the MP seat. He then asserted he will be president in 2037.
Mtoto wa Diana is walking proof that anyone can beat the odds. Orphaned at a young age, he was sheltered at an orphanage in Mathare slums. He later sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and attained a C+. His interest in music had grown over the years, and this was what took him out of poverty.
The ‘Mama’ hitmaker is a youth with ambition, and there’s nothing as beautiful as seeing the youth step up to the plate. Even though he may see this as a setback, it may just be the first step to a better and brighter future. Happy International Youth Day.
