Bahati Sparks Political Comeback Speculation in Mathare

Speculation is growing around singer and former politician Bahati possibly making a political comeback in Mathare after videos of branded trucks bearing his name and campaign-style messaging surfaced online.

The developments have sparked questions among Kenyans on whether the singer is quietly laying the groundwork for another bid for the Mathare MP seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Bahati, whose real name is Kevin Bahati, is a well-known Kenyan gospel artist and entertainer. He ventured into politics in 2022, vying for the Mathare parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket but was unsuccessful, finishing third with 8,166 votes, behind incumbent Anthony Oluoch, who retained the seat with 28,098 votes.

The Mathare constituency has been a hotbed of political activity, with various candidates vying for leadership positions. Anthony Oluoch, the current MP, has been in office since 2017 and is a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The political landscape in Mathare is competitive, with issues such as youth unemployment and infrastructural development at the forefront of voters' concerns.

Bahati's previous bid, while unsuccessful, highlighted his popularity as a public figure and his ability to connect with the youth. His recent activities suggest he may be attempting to leverage his celebrity status to gain political traction ahead of the next elections, a strategy that has been employed by several artists and public figures in Kenya.

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