Kenyan musician Kevin Bahati has sparked reactions after announcing his intention to contest the Mathare parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election during a highly publicized event initially advertised as a lavish 10th wedding anniversary celebration with his wife, Diana Marua.
The November 6 event, which drew attention for its reported KSh1 million invitation fee and black-tie theme, took an unexpected political turn when Bahati appeared before guests at a podium bearing the inscription “MP Mathare 2027”.
“I want to announce, and I want to make it official, that I, Bahati Kioko, will be vying as the next Member of Parliament for Mathare Constituency,” he announced.
On October 7, 2026, the couple announced November 6 as their wedding date, with Bahati revealing that the ceremony would be limited to 100 guests. Those who wanted to attend had to pay KSh1 million to secure an invitation.
Bahati Faces Backlash After Turning Wedding Event Into Mathare MP Launch
The announcement sparked criticism on social media, with some Kenyans questioning the purpose of the KSh1 million invite-only event and accusing Bahati of using the wedding publicity to advance his political ambitions.
George Njoroge described the move as “the height of dishonesty, deception and blatant abuse of public goodwill”, arguing that Kenyans had been led to expect a grand wedding between Bahati and Diana Marua before the occasion turned into a political launch.
Another user, Ivy, alleged that Bahati had collected millions from the public “under the pretext of organizing a lavish wedding”, adding that she had suspected the event was intended to raise campaign funds.
Alphandissel also questioned the contrast between the reported KSh1 million invitation fee and Bahati’s subsequent appeal to voters, joking that he was seeking votes from people who could not afford to attend his wedding.
“Bahati announcing to those who afforded 1 million shillings to attend his wedding that he will vie for an MP seat means he now wants those who never afforded 1 million to vote for him. Comedians will always be comedians,” he wrote.
Why He’s Running for the Mathare Seat
The musician said he is vying for the Mathare parliamentary seat because he was born and raised in the area and believes residents deserve a leader who truly understands their daily struggles.
Bahati also spoke about his difficult childhood and connection to Mathare, where he said he was born and raised in the slum.
Narrating his childhood, the 33-year-old Bahati said he lost his mother while still in nursery school.
He recounted growing up in a poor family without relatives nearby, explaining that some friends and neighbours took him in before he was eventually admitted to ABC Kenya Children’s Home.
Also Read: Bahati Offers KSh1 Million to Musician Set to Perform at His Wedding
While at the children’s home, Bahati said he received news that his father had also died before he sat his KCPE examinations.
He recalled that he and his siblings could not afford to transport their father’s body from Makueni County to their rural home for burial, forcing them to make arrangements within their limited means.
Bahati said he later returned to the children’s home, where he continued his education.
Also Read: Who is Diana Marua Bahati? Inside Her Life, Career, and Marriage to Bahati
Who Paid Ksh1 Million
The KSh1 million invitations had attracted interest from several public figures, musicians and religious personalities ahead of the event.
Among those reported to have purchased invitations was Pastor Victor Kanyari, who initially questioned the high price before meeting Bahati.
Musician KRG the Don was also publicly announced as the first Kenyan artiste to purchase an invitation, while forex trader Kenyan Prince reportedly bought one and offered additional money for fuel.
Preacher Reverend Lucy Natasha was also among the personalities associated with the invite-only celebration.
Beauty entrepreneur Phoina Tosha was also reported to have paid KSh2 million for two invitations, along with businessman Simon Kabu and his wife, Sarah Kabu, among others.
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